The Last Ronin: Why DeMar DeRozan’s Mid-Range Artistry Will Never Die
In an NBA obsessed with three-point math, one man continues to dominate from the 'worst' spot on the floor. Here is how DeMar DeRozan turned an obsolete weapon into a masterclass of rebellion.
Picture this: It’s Tuesday night in Sacramento. The Kings are tied with 14 seconds left. The ball finds DeMar DeRozan at the elbow. The entire arena knows what’s coming. The defender, a 22-year-old rookie with a wingspan designed by a laboratory, knows what’s coming. The analytics team, screaming at their iPads about expected value, knows what’s coming.
DeRozan doesn’t speed up. He slows down. He offers a slight pump fake—barely a twitch of the shoulder—and the rookie bites, launching himself into the stratosphere to block a shot that hasn't happened yet. DeRozan steps through, pivots, and floats a soft jumper that kisses the net. Two points. Silence. Game over.
This scene has played out hundreds of times over the last 17 years. In 2026, DeMar DeRozan isn't just a basketball player; he is a glitch in the Matrix of modern sports.
⚡ The Essentials
- The Anomaly: While the league average for mid-range attempts has plummeted to historic lows, DeRozan still takes (and makes) more than anyone else.
- The Milestone: Now past 25,000 career points, he has entered the top 20 all-time scorers list without relying on the three-point line.
- The Lesson: His game proves that mastery of footwork and patience can still dismantle 'efficient' defenses in the pace-and-space era.
The Geometry of Defiance
To understand DeRozan’s genius, you have to understand the math he is fighting against. For a decade, every coach has preached the same sermon: layups are good, three-pointers are great, and mid-range shots are the devil. They are statistically the least efficient shot in basketball (unless your name is Kevin Durant or DeMar DeRozan).
Yet, the 'Compton Kobe' operates almost exclusively in this forbidden zone. Why? Because while everyone else is zigging to the three-point line, he zags into the open space they left behind. It’s not just stubbornness; it’s a tactical exploit.
"I don't play the game based on a spreadsheet. I play based on where the defense isn't." — DeMar DeRozan
When the playoffs tighten and defenses switch everything to take away the three-ball, the analytics fall apart. That’s when you need a guy who can create a quality shot from 15 feet out of thin air. That is why, even in his mid-30s, the Kings (and the Bulls and Spurs before them) hand him the keys in the fourth quarter.
The King of the Fourth
It is rarely mentioned how consistently clutch DeRozan has been. We are not talking about lucky buzzer-beaters; we are talking about sustained production when legs are heavy and rims get tight. Look at how his production in 'Clutch Time' (last 5 minutes, score within 5 points) compares to other superstars over the last three seasons.
| Player | Clutch Points (Total) | FG% (Clutch) | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeMar DeRozan | 482 | 51.4% | ISO Mid-Range |
| Stephen Curry | 445 | 46.2% | 3PT Range |
| Luka Dončić | 410 | 44.8% | Spread Pick & Roll |
| League Avg | -- | 40.1% | -- |
The numbers don't lie, but they do whisper a secret: consistency beats variance. While three-point shooters can go cold, DeRozan’s footwork does not slump. He gets to his spot, elevates, and executes. It is a craftsman's approach in an era of gamblers.
The Lost Art of Footwork
Young players today practice step-back 30-footers before they learn a proper pivot. DeRozan is the custodian of a dying language—the language of the post-up, the up-and-under, and the face-up jab step. Watch his feet on the slow-motion replays. It’s closer to tango than basketball.
He doesn't beat you with speed (he was never the fastest) or vertical leap (though he still has bounce). He beats you with timing. He manipulates the defender's rhythm, forcing them to move when they want to stay still, and freezing them when they want to jump.
👀 Why doesn't he just shoot 3s?
As he climbs past legends like Reggie Miller and Jerry West on the all-time scoring list, we need to appreciate what we are watching. We may never see another player like this. The academies are not building them. The algorithms are not scouting them.
DeMar DeRozan is the quiet architect of a masterpiece that no one commissioned, but everyone should respect. Long live the midrange.
