All Star guard, DeMar DeRozan, suffered a left groin injury against the Dallas Mavericks last week Friday and has been sideline for the past 4 games. He spoke to the media before Friday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time since getting injured and spoke about what he has done while sidelined. DeRozan said he’s been spending his time on the couch, either watching basketball or playing Madden video games. DeRozan has also talked to Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant about his injury getting some advice.
DeRozan’s comments to the media.
“I talked to him and we had a great conversation about just being able to stay positive,” DeRozan said. “Obviously he had a tougher injury than me, but staying positive, what he did to grow mentally. . .That was one person, especially with somebody I look up to, that really gave me some good insight.”
The Toronto Raptors are still not setting a timeline for DeRozan’s return. DeRozan who has only missed 11 games before suffering a left groin injury has found it tough not being out there on the court.
“It’s definitely tough, I’m used to being out there,” DeRozan said. “But I always look at it like it could be worse. It could be a lot worse. I’m still going to come back, I’m still going to play. When I got up and walked off I knew I was okay, but whatever it was, was going to take some time.”
DeRozan will not require surgery and will remain week-to-week but has asked to join the Raptors coaching staff while sidelined.
“I think this is going to definitely help me out mentally, just becoming more of a student of the game and really scouting and looking at the game a different way,” DeRozan said. “Just understanding a lot more about the game and seeing how coaches approach the game, scouting games. I talked to coach Dwane Casey about sitting in on the meetings and being a part of that and educating myself on that end.”
DeRozan’s teammates have been very supportive in his absence.
“Amir (Johnson) Power Forward of the Raptors texted me one night, couple nights ago and he just said he was walking down the hotel hallway screaming my name and he was used to me popping my head out the door,” DeRozan said. “Something like that goes so far because it just shows the appreciation that your teammates have for you and the relationship that you have together.”
Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry has also missed DeRozan dearly, DeRozan said.
“He told me after the Laker game it was tough, taking that many shots. I was like, ‘You can’t think like that. You’ve just got to have a different mindset.’ He’s been playing outstanding the last couple games. “I told him ‘Don’t worry if you go 5-for-30, who cares. You’ve just got to go out there and be an example.’ It’s fun watching him performing now.”
DeRozan has found ways to turn his injury into a positive. His hard work ethic has brought DeRozan to where he is today as one of the best shooting guards in the game. DeMar DeRozan, just keeps on silencing the critics.
