DeMar DeRozan will stop in Salt Lake City later this month on the way to Springfield.
That’s because the Bulls star scorer Thursday was named to his sixth NBA All-Star team for the game in Utah Feb. 19. The history of Hall of Fame enshrinements has pretty much an informal cutoff that after five All-Star selections you are a lock to swing open that door to the Hall of Fame.
DeRozan was selected to be a reserve for the Eastern Conference along with Bam Adebayo, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday and Julius Randle. The Western Conference reserves added were Conference, Paul George, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr., Damian Lillard, former Bull Lauri Markkanen, Ja Morant and Domantas Sabonis.
Starters previously announced are for the Eastern Conference Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell and Kyrie Irving. The West starters will be LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Zion Williamson, Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic. Team captains will select the different sides to play against each other before the game.
“It's beyond exciting,” DeRozan told reporters outside the Bulls locker room before Thursday’s game with Charlotte. “To still be playing, all the things I've accomplished in my career, I couldn't even lie to you, there's a lot of stuff I still don't believe that I've accomplished, being from Compton, Calif., being through all the stuff I've been through, personal, career wise. Just to still be honored as an All-Star is definitely an honor. It's everything, and I hope anybody out there, whatever field you work in, never listen to the outside noise of people doubting you, counting you out. As long as you're true to yourself, you believe in yourself, you keep putting in the work with a genuine heart and genuine passion, you'll be rewarded.”
DeRozan was referencing the criticism the Bulls received for signing him in the summer of 2021 when many believe the best of his career was behind him after three quiet seasons in San Antonio. But DeRozan carried the Bulls early last season and was voted an All-Star starter at last year’s game. And even as the Bulls have struggled under .500 this season, DeRozan has been a consistent force, averaging 26.3 points, five rebounds and 4.9 assists.
But that DeRozan was named to a sixth NBA All-Star team virtually guarantees his first ballot entry into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
That’s because although there are no specific statistical standards or requirements for the Hall of Fame, it’s generally been that five All-Star selections or more means immortality in the Springfield, Mass institution.
For example, recent Hall of Fame inductees with five NBA All-Star game appearances include Reggie Miller, Sidney Moncrief, Paul Westphal, Tim Hardaway and Chris Webber. Several were recently enshrined with four All-Star appearances. They include Bobby Jones and Ben Wallace. Hall of Famers with six All-Star selections include Joe Dumars and Mitch Richmond. With DeRozan snaring a sixth All-Star selection with now multiple starts it virtually guarantees he will become a Hall of Famer as soon as he is eligible, which is four years after retirement.
It’s a remarkable run for the 6-6 wingman who was the No. 9 selection in the 2009 NBA draft and has played with Toronto and the Spurs before his second season now with the Bulls.
“It means everything,” DeRozan said about the historic context of a sixth appearance. “Just for me being the 20,000 points mark, 1,000 games. Just everything I’ve accomplished to this moment, I don’t believe it. I grew up a fan of the game way before it was even possible for me to be in this position. So for me it’s a dream. I’m pretty sure after the game tonight, after we get this win, I’ll lay in the bed at some point and be in awe again at just reminiscing on everything I’ve been through in my career.
“Definitely an honor just to be able to be respected by the coaches and the players and just everything across the board,” said DeRozan. “It means a lot. I never take nothing like that lightly or for granted at all. I'm honored, I'm very appreciative of it. Meant everything (coming to the Bulls). It’s been a resurgence of my passion, my happiness, my joy, the hard work and everything I went through personally. It just put everything back in perspective for me for the love of the game and I show it every time I go out there on the court.”