How is 76ers’ Joel Embiid NOT a finalist for NBA Clutch Player of the Year?

DeMar DeRozan’s case for NBA Clutch Player of the Year

DeMar DeRozan is 33 years old and in the same boat as Jimmy Butler age-wise. Oddly enough the signing of DeRozan by Chicago was widely met with skepticism last and he has continued to produce at close to the same rate as his time with the Raptors or San Antonio Spurs. DeRozan has still been able to uphold his reputation as a scorer and a scorer late in games. In 34 games played containing clutch minutes, DeRozan averages 4.7 minutes, 4.7 points on.473/.273/.892 shooting splits while taking 3.1 shot attempts per game and drawing 1.9 free throw attempts. The Bulls are 14-20 in those 34 games.

DeRozan is still widely regarded as one of the best one-on-one players in the NBA still and when games get within five points with five minutes to go that skill is highly sought after. When games get tight, it becomes a lot of DeRozan walking about the basketball, receiving a screen for advantage, and then pressuring anywhere around the paint to get a shot off.  DeRozan lives on a heavy diet of tough shots throughout each game he plays, which could be part of the reason he is only a +0.2 plus-minus. DeRozan’s inability to make a defensive play and inability to hit threes damper his candidacy.