The NBA life can be energy-sapping. The games themselves are already physically and mentally demanding, and that's not even considering the constant traveling, training, and media obligations. So how does six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan manage to perform at a high-level year after year consistently?
According to the veteran shooting guard, the key is simple: he has no distractions that cause him to expend energy on anything other than basketball.
Proper rest
While other NBA players pursue other interests and hobbies in their free time, DeRozan prefers to rest and recover during his downtime. This fuss-free formula has allowed the soon-to-be 35-year-old to keep his body and mind fresh for the daily grind of an NBA season.
This season, the former USC Trojan is taking on the lion’s share of the offensive and leadership duties due to Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams' season-ending injuries. DeRozan leads the league in minutes played per game at 37.7 minutes—an incredible feat considering his age and body's mileage.
“I just really, really, really try to take good care of myself,” DeRozan said after playing 40 minutes in the Bulls’ previous game versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
Aims to expend his energy on the floor
Not to say DeRozan lives the life of a miser; he enjoys spending time with his family and is invested in his mental health advocacy work. But when it comes to basketball, he knows what he needs to do to perform at his best. With the Bulls’ fate hanging on every performance DeRozan puts forth, he has made it his mission to stay healthy and play at a high level until the very end of the season.
“I don’t have other hobbies that cause me to exert any energy. So I try to take care of myself the best I can. And I just love hoopin’. I love playing the game no matter how many minutes it is. I just love being out there,” Deebo shared.
More must-reads: