‘Disrespected His Whole Career’: Twitter Comes Out in Defense of DeMar DeRozan after a Top 100 List Ranked Him Low

In the world of professional sports, playing well is one thing, while keeping fame intact is another. Many A-grade athletes bite the dust when it comes to getting featured on the popularity index. Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan recently had such a moment when he ranked low on a coveted list.

DeMar DeRozan is in the 12th season of his NBA career and has enjoyed some phenomenal performances in the past. While he is not the same French Assassinator he once used to be, there is still ample of All-star level basketball left in him. However, a recently released list placed him in a different light.

Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan and his undervalued stature

ESPN dropped their Top 100 NBA players list for the 10th consecutive year. The list placed Michael Porter Jr., DeAndre Ayton, Jusuf Nurkic, Lonzo Ball, and Christian Wood from #51 to #55, in that order. Surprisingly, the list didn’t seem to think much of DeMar, placing him at a pitiful 82nd position.

This sparked a Twitter frenzy where fans and analysts both went against the credibility of the ranking. 

Almost everyone felt this was disrespectful to the 4-time NBA All-star and 2-time All-NBA team recognition winner. Even if the ranking picks five players from each NBA team, according to rank #82, DeMar will be shortlisted from the 17th team, which is surprising.

Why does DeRozan make a good case to rank higher?

DeMar played with the Toronto Raptors for nine long seasons. Unfortunately for him, the very season he joined the Spurs, the Raptors won their maiden NBA title. After getting drafted in 2009, he doubled his ppg average following his rookie year and gave his career-best performance by averaging 27.3 in 2016-17. 

In his career, he struggled with perimeter shooting and also at the defense work, but apart from that, he has been flawless in many other skills. His poor luck in the playoffs can be one reason he never climbed huge in terms of popularity. 

Still, those who follow basketball with a keen eye for detail know and agree that DeMar is far better that what his ranking suggests. Any ranking that places him even behind rookie Tyler Herro must take note of this.

Read also – “Wasn’t Satisfied” – DeMar DeRozan Explains Why He Re-Signed With San Antonio Spurs