In a must-win game back where DeMar DeRozan spent the first nine years of his illustrious NBA career, he wasn’t even the most important DeRozan in the arena. That honor would go to his daughter, Diar DeRozan, for her outstanding efforts during every last Toronto Raptors free-throw attempt. This is one for the ages and stamps her place in Chicago Bulls history.
Rent Free In Toronto’s Head
From the first Raptors’ free-throw attempt with 7:44 left in the first quarter, a very profound high-pitched scream was heard on the national broadcast. That same sound repeated every time Toronto was at the charity stripe through their final attempt with 12.0 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Many wondered what it was and what Chicago superfan was disrupting Toronto’s free-throw attempts—the answer was Diar DeRozan. ESPN found her in the crowd midway through the game, highlighting her efforts during some of the Raptors’ free-throw shots, but even when the camera wasn’t on her, she was heard around the country.
Who’s to say if DeRozan’s daughter played a real impact in the game, but the statistics would argue that she did. Toronto was an abysmal 18-for-36 from the line or 50% on the night. During the regular season, they shot 78.4% from the stripe, including 87.5% in their previous game on Sunday. Quite the difference from a numbers perspective, and in the most clutch game of the season, where they lost by four points, every free throw mattered. Siakam missed two out of three when Toronto trailed by three with 12.0 seconds left, and as a 77.4% career free-throw shooter, she was certainly getting through to him.
NBA World Buzzing
One could have guessed that Patrick Beverley’s theatrics, DeMar DeRozan’s heroics, or Zach LaVine’s breakout performance would have been the headline escaping tonight’s upset victory, but all would be incorrect assumptions. The basketball world has been lit on fire by one nine-year-old girl in the stands, Diar DeRozan, and her titanic effort from the sidelines tonight. The sports media titans noticed her comedic but effective tactics.
Will She Be In Miami?
Of course, the most important question of all is, will she be headed with the team to Miami on Friday? DeMar was asked postgame if the enthusiastic screams from the stands would be in attendance in two days, but he crushed the hopes of Bulls fans nationwide by breaking the news that she’d be busy with school and would not be attending the game. Booo.
Chicago will have to brainstorm a new solution to combatting the opposition’s free throws and supplement her undeniable energy in another fashion. Hopefully, Diar’s nationwide attention and viral celebration will sway DeMar’s decision, as Bulls fans know they’ll need all hands on deck for a win in Miami on Friday.
Take notes, Bulls faithful, that’s how you bring the intensity from the stands, go Diar!
It was fun once but IMO she shouldn’t do it. It’s cheesy and the Bulls and the NBA need to hold on to all the class they can. And if the other teams respond in kind who wants to hear screams on every free throw?
He moves well in space and plays with that typical Wisconsin edge. Some evaluators feel he needs work with his tendency to get caught leaning and doesn’t use his long arms enough to his advantage.