It might be a long time before fans get to see another player like Sacramento Kings swingman DeMar DeRozan, who became the 27th player in NBA history to score 25,000 or more career points during his team’s loss to the Chicago Bulls.
At a time when the 3-ball has changed the way the sports is played and analyzed, the six-time All-Star has resisted the revolution, sticking to his guns. In fact, when DeRozan nailed the shot that got him past the threshold of his latest milestone, it was a midrange bucket.
His shot. The one that defined an entire era. The one that was popularized by NBA icons like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, two players that the 35-year-old is known to have immense respect for.
Kings Midrange King DeMar DeRozan Hits 25K Milestone
In 2024-25, DeRozan is averaging 22.2 points per game, his 12th straight season averaging at least 20 points per game. Though he’s only averaged over 25 points per game twice in that span, his durability and remarkable consistency have allowed him to surpass Hall of Fame players like Larry Bird, Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson in all-time scoring.
𝟐𝟓𝐊 & 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆
DeMar DeRozan tallies his 25,000th all-time career points! pic.twitter.com/7aU7ReIgV0
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 21, 2025
A quick and catlike scorer, Iverson averaged 28.9 points per game from 1998-99 to 2007-08. However, the 11-time All-Star fizzled out after that, his play and health declining. Similarly, Wade averaged 27.0 points per game from 2005-06 to 2010-11. Yet, the 13-time All-Star’s body began to deteriorate due to wear and tear. Bird’s abbreviated career are well-documented. Even with chronic back issues, the three-time NBA MVP averaged 27.3 points per game from 1983-84 to 1987-88.
Different Breed
Iverson was more athletic than DeRozan. This gave him an advantage over him offensively. Yet, and perhaps because he needs less grease on his wheels, the effects of aging didn’t affect DeRozan’s game much as Iverson’s. He’s far less likely to blow past a defender these days. In fact, he’s scored on a career-low seven dunks in 2024-25.
Nonetheless, similar to Wade, he’s able to pull out ol’ reliable — the midrange jumper. His footwork and touch could be on the same level as Wade’s, if not better. He certainly has a slight height advantage over Wade. In any case, this has served him extremely well, as he’s converted 45.4 percent of shots he’s taken 10-16 feet away from the rim for his career. If he can establish position closer to the basket he’s even better, shooting 46.9 percent 3-10 feet away from the rim.
The only active player with 25,000+ PTS and under 1,000 career 3P: pic.twitter.com/GF8Gdkza7Z
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 21, 2025
He might not be able to shoot like Bird when he gets beyond the arc. He hasn’t had to though. To be frank, it’s a clear limitation that can be disadvantageous. Even still, DeRozan has just 112 fewer career points than Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. Considered the greatest 3-point shooter of all-time, Curry was drafted two spots ahead of DeRozan.
© Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
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