Rookie Chronicles » 2009 NBA Summer League

DeMar DeRozan Blog: Summer League Highlight Tape

DeMar DeRozan — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:00:46 +0000

What’s going on everybody? A fan named Matthew Gardner made a hot video of my summer league highlights that I had to post on here. Since I’m from Compton, you already know what song he used for the soundtrack. Check it out when you get a chance:

—DeMar

Fans be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: Summer League Interview with Score.com

DeMar DeRozan — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:00:43 +0000

What’s going on fans? During the summer league, I had a chance to be interviewed by Holly MacKenzie of score.com. Take a look at the video when you have a chance:

—DeMar

Fans be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: Fan Submitted Summer League Highlights

DeMar DeRozan — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:00:07 +0000

What’s up everybody? A fan submitted videos of my first couple of summer league games. I think they are pretty hot. Check them out when you have a chance. And thanks to B2L for the submissions.

Against the Lakers:

Against the Pistons:

—DeMar

Fans be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: Raptors Blog # 2

DeMar DeRozan — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:00:39 +0000

Wassup fans? Although I spend most of my time posting here at the Rookie Chronicles, I also have a blog up on Raptors.com that I will be posting on from time to time. Here’s my latest post:

I just finished getting some shots up here in Las Vegas and I’m now in my hotel room watching SportsCenter and coming at you with my latest blog.

Summer League so far has been great, fun and exciting. It’s been a huge learning process for me and I’m just soaking it all in.

I can’t think of one highlight yet, but it’s been a thrill to get out there and throw on a Raptors jersey and get out doing what I love to do.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not hard work. I know whatever my weaknesses are at the end of Summer League, that’s what I’m going to spend the rest of my summer working to improve on.

Read the rest here

—DeMar

Fans be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

Twitter Reacts: DeMar DeRozan at the Las Vegas Summer League

Rookie Chronicles — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:42:59 +0000

Here’s some reaction from Twitter following DeMar’s second summer league game.

td0tsfinest: @DeMar_DeRozan Great game last night man. Your really getting rest of of Tdot excited for the season.

Dwal86: @DeMar_DeRozan Good game last night bro. I like the lift on your jumpshot, and your in air change of direction.. NBA ALLSTAR material foreal.

Nolanmckinley: @DeMar_DeRozan :Yo Demar sofar so good at tha summerleague sir, get a niagara falls soon man its wild! lemme no when u come down here tho!

YKYW: @DeMar_DeRozan Nice first game Heir Canada, lookin forward to a few of those in the season to come!

ayaz_haider: @DeMar_DeRozan Great Game! you showed us everything! gettin the rest and healthy food so your legs recover fast and kick some butt tomorrow.

toddcvaughan: @DeMar_DeRozan just watched your highlights bro…keep it up!

Lebanese: @DeMar_DeRozan hey man AMAZING GAME YESTERDAY !! u were really amazing and i like ur dunks man.

seancouver: @DeMar_DeRozan thats what i like to see! great game man, keep it up.

amo_4_real: @DeMar_DeRozan Yo, good showin out der 2day bro, u got a tight, smooth fade away goin on, keep doing your thing, make t-dot proud.

mitch_mallette: @DeMar_DeRozan Keep working You should start this year and there is no doubt you could be the next ROY, I belive

DeMar DeRozan Blog: Interview with TrueHoop

DeMar DeRozan — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:00:28 +0000

Before my second summer league game, I sat down for an interview with ESPN’s TrueHoop. Take a look at the interview here:

—DeMar

Fans be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.

Terrence Williams Blog: The Orlando Summer League

Terrence Williams — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:00:48 +0000

Wassup blog fam? I’m out in New Jersey right now with my girl trying to find a condo. While I have some time I want to tell you guys a little about my experience at the Orlando Summer League.

After my short trip to Seattle, I headed out for two a day practices with my summer league squad. It was kind of weird because I was playing with players that have so many different goals. Some guys were recent first round picks or veterans with guaranteed contracts that were just trying to improve their games. Others were guys that were second round picks or veterans from the D-League or Europe that were trying to make a squad or get noticed by someone.

The team also had a funny feel to it because the Nets and Sixers decided to combine summer league squads. Although I got a lot of good experience playing in the league, I don’t think it benefits you at all to go out and play with guys who aren’t going to be your teammates when the season starts. You get used to a guy’s game, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter because you aren’t going to be playing with them anyway. I guess it’s just good to get out and run in an NBA level league though.

I think I played pretty well in the league and improved every game. I only scored 4 points in my first game, but ended up scoring 16 and 14 in my last two. I think the key for me is to be aggressive. After my first game Coach Frank and my agent Aaron Goodwin both kept telling me that I needed to drive to the basket more. I know if I use my athleticism to get to the rim, a lot of good things will happen for me.

Even if I am not scoring, you will always see me hit the boards, play great defense and try to set up my teammates. I grew up admiring guys like Magic Johnson and Gary Payton. Those two were bigger guards that played an all around game. Even if they were not scoring 20, they always found a way to have a big impact on the game. That’s what I want to be able to do too.

Overall the transition has been smoother than I thought it would be. Well, except for that corner three point line. You guys have no idea how little space there is between the corner three point line and out of bounds. It’s so easy to step out of bounds without knowing it over there!

Before I started playing in summer league, I made sure to sign my contract with the Nets. I wanted to make sure that if anything happened I would already be set financially.

Immediately after signing my deal, my Auntie and my cousins back at home started sending me congrats on my new contract. I was like “how did you guys know I signed my contract?” They told me they saw it on the internet. I went and looked at some of the articles and they tell people EXACTLY how much I’m making. Keep in mind, just last year I was living off of a $220 per month stipend at Louisville. I’m just thankful that I have been blessed with this opportunity.

Alright blog fam. I’ll be in New Jersey this week looking for places. I’ll keep y’all posted on that and much more. Also, look for my flipcam vids from the draft on here sometime this week. God Bless.

—T-Will

Fans: Be sure to check out Terrence on Twitter and Facebook.

DeMar DeRozan Blog: Interview with David Aldridge After Summer League Game #2

DeMar DeRozan — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:21:57 +0000

What’s up everyone? Had a lot of fun playing my second summer league game. I picked it up a bit after my rusty game 1. Did you guys get a chance to watch the game? If not, here are few game highlights and a post game interview with my man David Aldridge.

—DeMar

Fans be sure to check out DeMar on Twitter.