Tag: Media Day 2021

DeMar DeRozan on Spurs tenure: ‘I learned so much more about myself’

DeRozan looks back on his time in San Antonio learning under Gregg Popovich.

DeMar DeRozan is now a Chicago Bull after spending the last three seasons as a San Antonio Spur.

On Monday at Media Day, DeRozan spoke on his time in San Antonio, specifically learning from Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and how he grew as a player.

“In my time in San Antonio, I learned so much more about myself as a player, what I was able and capable of doing. It grew me more as a leader,” DeRozan said. “And this time around, it’s just putting everything I’ve learned in my career all together. It’s just put me at a different level physically and mentally.”

DeRozan’s role in San Antonio grew to be different than what he was accustomed to during his time in Toronto, where he was a four-time All-Star. He grew to be a more well-rounded offensive player, as Gregg Popovich helped mold DeRozan into an above average playmaker.

After missing the playoffs over the last two seasons, DeRozan is ready to get back to his winning ways and show that he’s still in the prime of his career.

“I think this is for me, the best part of my career. With the knowledge that I’ve gained over the years, my perspective on how I approach the game, how I approach preparation, everything to the game,” DeRozan said. “It took me 13 years to get to the point that I’m at mentally, physically, emotionally in approaching the game. So for me, I think it’s just my best go-round.”

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DeMar DeRozan: The Bulls are ‘as talented a team’ as I’ve played for

The four-time All-Star is excited about his new team in the Windy City.

As the 2021-22 NBA season is soon to kick off, DeMar DeRozan finds himself in a new situation in Chicago.

The four-time All-Star signed a three-year, $84 million deal with the Bulls this offseason after spending the last three seasons in San Antonio.

On Monday at Media Day, the 13-year veteran spoke on his new team and how this Bulls team is as talented as he’s ever been around.

“The talent is there. I don’t think I’ve played with as talented a team as I have since coming here” DeRozan said. “Now it’s about just putting it together and me doing my part, being a veteran on the team, bringing it all together and helping it mesh a little quicker.”

DeRozan, alongside Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, capped off a successful summer for the Bulls as they put together a roster that they feel not only can compete in the Eastern Conference, but keep Zach LaVine in a Bulls uniform for the foreseeable future.

“The vibe and everything is definitely positive,” DeRozan said. “I love that, first and foremost, especially the city, just energetic. I’m just excited being here.”

With the likes of DeRozan and Ball added to a core of LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls can make some noise in the East for the first time in what seems like forever.

“There are a lot of great opportunities. I’m excited to be out there with those guys and just begin putting this all together.”

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Gordon Hayward wears signature shoe designed by his daughters

There’s nothing better than being a girl dad.

Gordon Hayward is a proud girl dad.

Proud enough to even let his daughters help design a pair of his signature shoe, the Antra GH2.

On Monday at Media Day, Hayward sported a pair of his GH2’s inspired by his hand cast in 2019, which was decorated by his daughters with paint and stickers.

Check out the shoes below via ESPN’s Nick DePaula’s Twitter.

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Kelly Oubre on being a Hornet: ‘I think all the stars are aligning’

Kelly Oubre Jr. hopes to find a home in Charlotte.

Kelly Oubre Jr. is now on his fourth NBA team in the last four years.

After being traded from the Washington Wizards, where he spent the first three and a half years of his career, Oubre has had a tough time finding a permanent home.

But he hopes that long-term home is in Charlotte.

On Monday at Media Day, Oubre Jr. spoke on his excitement

“I haven’t been this excited to start a season in probably five years,” Oubre Jr. said.

Oubre comes as the biggest acquisition for the Hornets this offseason. His versatility and energy on both ends of the floor will bring a punch likely off the Charlotte bench. And on nights that Gordon Hayward is resting, Oubre will be able to step in and fill that role.

“This is a fresh start for me… I love Charlotte. It’s a beautiful city. I think all the stars are aligning.”

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Terry Rozier on Hornets: ‘We’re looking to do some special things’

The Hornets guard believes it’s time to put Charlotte on the map.

You can argue that Terry Rozier is the the emotional leader of the Charlotte Hornets.

In year three in a Hornets uniform, Rozier and company look to make a splash in the Eastern Conference. On Monday at Media Day, Rozier spoke on how the Hornets plan to do so.

“You can feel the energy, vibe and competitive spirit around us right now… We’re looking to do some special things,” Rozier said.

Previous to training camp kicking off, Rozier organized a team trip to Miami to get a head start on building team chemistry.

The Hornets bring back a similar roster to last season’s team, who lost in the play-in tournament against the Indiana Pacers. But with the additions of Kelly Oubre Jr., Mason Plumlee, and rookie James Bouknight along with a healthy Gordon Hayward, this Charlotte team has what it takes to solidify a playoff spot.

“We have high expectations… We know what we have to do and take it day by day. That starts tomorrow.”

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Zach LaVine on his future: ‘I’m not worried about my contract right now’

The Bulls All-Star is focused on winning this season, not his upcoming free agency.

The Chicago Bulls made a splash this summer in free agency, adding the likes of Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso to name a few as the Bulls look to get back into playoff contention.

For Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine, winning is everything. That’s all that matters to the now eight-year veteran — not his upcoming free agency — which he spoke about at Media Day on Monday.

“My plan is tomorrow to get ready for training camp, get ready for the season, and help these guys win just like everybody else,” LaVine said. “I’m not worried about my contract right now. That will be a point in time in the future and my agent and I will sit down and discuss and go from there. But right now, it’s about the Bulls and us getting better tomorrow.”

At this moment, LaVine is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and will have a number of suitors if the he and the Bulls fail to come to an agreement. Bulls VP of basketball operations Artunas Karnisovas voiced his confidence and desire in locking up LaVine for years to come.

“We’re committed to Zach, we want him to be in Chicago for a very long period of time. Trade deadline and free agency moves kind of proved that. He has a good relationship with Billy, good relationship with me… We feel really good about Zach and about this season.”

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Lonzo Ball: The Bulls were ‘always the frontrunners for me’

The Windy City was Lonzo’s No. 1 destination this offseason.

Lonzo Ball is now a Chicago Bull.

This offseason, Ball signed a four-year, $84 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, which ended up being a sign-and-trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.

On Monday at Media Day, Lonzo spoke on his decision to join the Bulls, who always seemed to be his No. 1 destination.

“It was pretty easy,” Lonzo on deciding to sign with the Bulls. “The Bulls did a great job. I feel like they were always kind of the frontrunners for me.”

Lonzo joined DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso among others joining the Bulls this offseason after countless summer’s of striking out on free agents.

“For me, I think just their interest in me. That was big for me,” Lonzo said. “They really didn’t want me to change anything I had going, any part of my game. They wanted me to excel in the things I’m already comfortable doing so it was an easy choice for me like I said and then I think Zach had a big part to play, as well.”

With running mates like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo should certainly excel this season.

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Billy Donovan on Lonzo: ‘Lonzo is as good of a passer there is’

Lonzo’s new coach gives him praise on his playmaking ability.

The Chicago Bulls have themselves a new point guard this season. And Lonzo Ball has himself some new weapons alongside him.

The four-year point guard signed a four-year, $84 million deal with Chicago as soon as the free agency period opened this offseason, teaming him up with All-Star’s like Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and fellow newcomer DeMar DeRozan.

On Monday at Media Day, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan spoke about the how the offense will work with the additions of Ball and DeRozan, specifically with Lonzo running the show.

“DeMar & Zach are great in space, we’re going to have to get faster… Lonzo is as good of a passer there is… to play to his strengths, we’re going to have to get out and run.”

Giving a playmaker like Lonzo two elite wing scorers like DeRozan and LaVine, along with a scoring big like Nikola Vucevic, is an absolute dream. Like Donovan said, look for the Bulls to get out and run and put up a lot of points this season.

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LaMelo is ‘fighting every day’ to get jersey number changed to No. 1

The No. 1 rookie in 2020-21 wants to also be No. 1 on his jersey.

LaMelo Ball is one of one. He’ll tell you that himself

Which speaks to why he wants to wear No. 1 so bad, which he has wore his entire life.

On Monday at Media Day, LaMelo spoke to his desire to change jersey numbers.

“I’m fighting every day,” Ball said of changing his number. “Definitely just want to be me out there & just playing in No. 2 don’t feel right.”

Ball has been very vocal on social media about his desire to change to No. 1, constantly posting on his Instagram and Twitter about just how bad he wants his number back.

When Ball was drafted to the Hornets, No. 1 was occupied by Malik Monk. Now that Monk is gone, and the number is vacant, it’s Ball’s to be had.

Maybe.

Ball reportedly missed the deadline to change jersey numbers, meaning he may have to wait until next season. But, Ball seemed to have a bit of optimism that the change could happen sooner rather than later.

“I mean, we’ve been having talks and convos and stuff so we’ll see. We’ll see.”

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Gordon Hayward, James Borrego on same page regarding load management

To make a run at the playoffs, the Hornets will need a healthy Gordon Hayward.

Sadly, Charlotte Hornets wing Gordon Hayward is no stranger to finding himself on the injury report.

This season, he and Hornets coach James Borrego hope to change that by managing Hayward’s minutes and potentially his availability in back-to-back games.

On Monday at Media Day, Hayward spoke about being on the same page as Borrego regarding his minutes. “I understand it and it’ll be a constant communication with JB and the staff in order to best maximize me. I want to be playing my best basketball at the end of the year.”

The addition of Kelly Oubre Jr. certainly helps give Borrego and his staff some assurance that on nights that Hayward is resting, the team won’t take a huge hit in production as Oubre Jr. can step in and help fill that role.

This union between Borrego and Hayward gives the Hornets a better chance of having a healthy version of Hayward down the stretch of the season and hopefully a playoff run.

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