There are now only 37 players in NBA history who have scored more points than DeMar DeRozan. With this bucket in the third quarter, he passed Indiana legend Larry Bird for 38th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring tally. At a conservative pace of 22 points per game, he’ll jump into the top 30 by season’s end. In the last two years, he has averaged north of 24 points per contest, and this year, he’s averaged 23.3 through four games.
Chasing Greatness
The standings will likely fluctuate throughout the season since two active players are slightly ahead of DeRozan in the ranks and will continue to climb. Chris Paul is currently in 37th place and will likely be passed still tonight, only standing eight points ahead of DeRozan right now with a quarter to play in Dallas. The Warriors tip-off at 9:00 PM CST tonight, and with Paul’s 11.3 points per game average, the two will likely flip-flop several times in the coming days. By the end of the 2023 season, Chicago’s 34-year-old forward is expected to land in the 30-32 range, depending on his final scoring tally and how far Stephen Curry, currently ranked 35th, finishes the year. This is, of course, with the assumption that both stars play their usual 65 or more games and avoid injury.
Hall Of Fame Lock? Where’s His Jersey Retired?
Moving to the legacy of DeMar DeRozan, this Hall of Fame debate is about as split as it can be. Basketball Reference only gives DeRozan a 43.20% chance, while other fascinating stats show he’s almost a lock to be selected. He’ll finish his career in the top 35 of scoring at a minimum, and the top 47 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list have either been inducted or are surefire locks. He’s also averaged 20 or more points per game for ten or more seasons, something only 34 other players have done, who are all either in the Hall or headed there. Might the scoring uptick be part of the evolving game, though? His weak playoff resume and less-than-stellar trophy shelf might keep him on the outside looking in.
He is the Toronto Raptors’ franchise leader in points, minutes, and games played. He’ll undoubtedly see his jersey number ten retired in the rafters by the team that drafted him and where he spent the first nine years of his NBA career. The first candidate for the Hall of Fame to look at for DeRozan’s chances is Mitch Richmond, 47th on the scoring list, has six All-Star selections, five All-NBA team nods, and a 21.0 points per game average. He’s in the Hall of Fame. But Tom Chambers, who’s No. 49 on the all-time scoring list, is a four-time All-Star with two All-NBA team awards and a career 18.1 ppg scorer, is not. DeRozan is genuinely on the edge, and these last few years could sway his standing in basketball history.
Does DeMar DeRozan belong in the Hall of Fame?
