Francis felt himself a brother to the sun, the sea and the wind, yet he knew that he was even closer to those of his own flesh. This saint of fraternal love, simplicity and joy, who inspired me to write the Encyclical Laudato Si’, prompts me once more to devote this new Encyclical to fraternity and social friendship.
In his simple and direct way, Saint Francis expressed the essence of a fraternal openness that allows us to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives.Ģ. Of the counsels Francis offered, I would like to select the one in which he calls for a love that transcends the barriers of geography and distance, and declares blessed all those who love their brother “as much when he is far away from him as when he is with him”. With these words, Saint Francis of Assisi addressed his brothers and sisters and proposed to them a way of life marked by the flavour of the Gospel. I just stuck to my guns and continued to try to be the best at that.1. “That was all the confidence I needed, especially when the game started changing in 2014 or 2015. “I forgot who it was, but it was an older player who told me to just stick to what you’re great at and master that,’’ DeRozan said. DeRozan will hit the occasional three-pointer, he’ll attack the rim with either hand, but he knows the midrange is his business, and business has been booming this season. That’s why his game isn’t going to change anytime soon. It’s not something that happened overnight.’’ “I feel like I try to master whenever I get into an offseason, understanding my angles, getting shots off whether it’s off the dribble, going right, going left, off counters, off fadeaways, post-ups,’’ DeRozan said. Bryant could score from anywhere, but his midrange shot was his dagger.ĭeRozan studied his idol for countless hours and continues to work on that midrange game. Kobe Bryant was one of DeRozan’s favorite players to watch when he was coming up. Those shooting spots were frowned upon a few years ago, but thanks to DeRozan and a few others, the midrange game is making a comeback and being appreciated again. While most players in the league shoot the three or drive to the basket at the end of tight games, DeRozan does most of his damage from the two-point area outside the paint. You let him take over the game, calm it down, get to the free-throw line, get to his spots, and I think it gives the whole team a deep breath, like, ‘We’re OK.’ ’’ “He’s been in these big-time games, situations, so I don’t think a lot of things rattle him at all. “It helps our team tremendously, especially if we’re frantic,’’ guard Zach LaVine said. And if the opposition wants to foul him in late-game situations, he’s shooting 90% from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. On Saturday in the Bulls’ comeback victory against the first-place Nets, he went 6-for-11 from the field and had 13 points in the fourth.ĭeRozan was scoring a league-best 7.7 points per game in the fourth quarter while shooting 52.9% from the field. On Thursday, DeRozan thwarted the Knicks’ late-game comeback, going 6-for-7 from the field and scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter.
Leaning heavily on his midrange game, he helped the Bulls escape New York with two big victories. No one in the NBA has scored more points in the fourth quarter. It’s nothing but a feel for me.’’ĭeRozan, 32, has been the Bulls’ best player this season. “Whether it’s long, strong, tall players, I just put a lot of that into consideration when I’m getting to a spot or when I’m getting to a move. “It’s just repetition over and over, countless days, nights of just being real with the attention to detail to how defenders guard you,’’ DeRozan said. He also recognizes its power, especially late in games when it can demoralize opponents.
Forward DeMar DeRozan knows the midrange jumper has become a lost art, a weapon only a few nonconformists still brandish.