Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan gaining steam in MVP odds

The Chicago Bulls currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference and are winners of six in a row. At 39-21, the Bulls continue to win despite being down some key players.

Last offseason, signing point guard Lonzo Ball and guard Alex Caruso looked like solid additions which would result in an improved roster overall, on offense and defense.

When healthy, these two have provided a huge lift on both ends, but specifically on defense. Because they have been out for weeks now, others have had to pick up the slack. But, no one has stepped up more than DeMar DeRozan.

Just how good has DeRozan been recently? Take a look.

The Bulls have also played almost the entire season without Patrick Williams, and much of the year without Javonte Green and Derrick Jones Jr. It has taken a team effort on most nights, but nobody has been as crucial to this team than DeRozan.

What he’s been able to do this season, and most recently, has been nothing short of mesmerizing. There are few players around the league which can say they mean as much as DeRozan does to the Bulls.

After this incredible stretch DeRozan has had in February, he continues to climb the MVP ladder. No, not the NBA’s ladder that has disrespected DeRozan all season long (up until recently), but a legitimate oddsmaker’s ladder.

DeRozan sits at +800 to win the NBA MVP, per WynnBet. The top four, in terms of odds, are as follows:

Joel Embiid +140

Nikola Jokic +260

Giannis Antetokounmpo +450

DeMar DeRozan +800

The Bulls’ All Star has now strung together eight games in a row with at least 35 points on 50 percent shooting or better. For those counting at home, that is a new NBA record, breaking the former record-holder’s number. By the way, that previous record was held by the great Wilt Chamberlain.

If the Bulls continue to stay atop the East, especially with a tough schedule ahead, it will be very difficult to see anyone else taking the MVP from DeRozan. His presence this year has taken the Bulls from what was a terrible team last year to a first-place ball club as we speak.

No one could have predicted what we’ve seen from DeRozan this year, especially some of the league’s top sources like Bleacher Report and the great basketball mine Bill Simmons. Having the best year of his career, in addition to keeping an injury-ravaged team at the top of the conference, is more than enough to make him a favorite for league MVP.

Give it a couple more weeks, and these odds should look even more in his favor.