2014 has been one hell of a ride for DeMar DeRozan.
The quiet kid from Compton came into his own this year. From his first all-star berth to his first taste of the playoffs, DeRozan brought his game to another level. His hard work was highlighted by career highs in points, rebounds and assists and a well-deserved spot on this summer’s U.S. World Championship team. But success hasn’t gone to his head.
“We [the Raptors] haven’t really done anything in the league,” he says. “We lost in the first round. We won 48 games. Cool. If you’re satisfied with that, don’t sit in this locker room because we’re trying to keep building on what we did last year.”
Toronto took the Brooklyn Nets to the brink only five months ago. Kyle Lowry’s last-second shot—blocked by Paul Pierce—ended up being the difference between moving on to the second round for the second time in franchise history and stewing on their home floor after a game-seven defeat.
The pain from that loss still lingers for DeRozan but he knows the mindset for him and his team has to be one of growth and progression. Looking back to last season is no longer an option.
“I know how every single guy on this team—especially guys from last year—feels and how hungry they are to get back out there and get back to work,” DeRozan says. “[We] want to prove people wrong again—and not just people [but] ourselves. Just go out there and show people how hard work pays off.”
DeRozan knows all about hard work. He entered this summer as a long shot to make America’s World Championship team. But when the dust settled, the six-foot-seven guard was still standing, shoulder to shoulder among twelve of the best players in the NBA.
Though DeRozan’s role on the American squad was limited, he embraced the opportunity to learn and deepened his appreciation for the importance of depth and a strong bench. It’s something he thinks he can apply in Toronto as well.
“That’s one thing I told Masai [Ujiri],” DeRozan says. “I think [the experience with Team USA] helped me as a player because it put me in an uncomfortable position that I’m not usually accustomed to being in. I had to figure out ways how I could be just as effective as if I was starting. It made me gain an appreciation for that fifteenth, fourteenth, thirteenth or twelfth guy on the bench. I now know how they feel [and] understand how I can help them better if they’re not playing. That helps me be more of a leader coming into the season.”
That realization and acceptance could be a huge asset for Dwane Casey and his crew this year. The Raptors are deep. They kept their core together—re-signing Lowry and key second-unit pieces like Patrick Patterson and Greivis Vasquez—and adding more depth to the bench in the form of guard Lou Williams and forward James Johnson.
It’s dividing the minutes and keeping everyone happy that may pose a challenge now. And though Casey is primarily responsible for addressing that challenge, one of the team’s stars openly trumpeting his awareness of the importance of the reserves definitely doesn’t hurt.
“We [all] have to stay level headed,” DeRozan says. “I have to remind the new guys about the approach we took every single day, at practice and for every single game. We have to continue to stay that same way. We can’t change.”