By Booger Insider Staff
In the gritty backchannels of Booger’s basketball scene, a storm brews around the ever-hungry DeMar DeRozan. Despite being a veteran presence with a proven midrange game and playoff experience, DeRozan finds himself sidelined more than expected, and sources suggest it’s not just about Xs and Os — it’s about politics, personalities, and the arrival of a new power figure: Vivek Ranadivé.
DeRozan, who was brought onto Booger’s roster in hopes of stabilizing the wing position and bringing leadership to a young core, has reportedly been vocal behind the scenes about his limited role. “I still got gas in the tank,” he told teammates after a recent practice. “All I need is the green light and some damn minutes.”
But head coach Doug Christie isn’t convinced.
Christie, known for his defensive-first mindset and loyalty to developmental rotations, has favored younger, unproven wings over DeRozan in key moments. “We’re building for the long term,” Christie said in a postgame presser last week. “Everyone’s gotta earn it every day. DeMar knows that.”
But the tension isn’t just about playing time — it’s about influence. The arrival of former Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé to Booger’s front office has stirred the pot. Sources say Ranadivé, ever the analytics enthusiast and fan of fast-paced, positionless ball, has quietly advocated for a different style of play, one that doesn’t mesh cleanly with DeRozan’s old-school iso-heavy game.
“It’s a philosophical clash,” said one team insider. “DeMar’s a midrange surgeon — crafty, calculated. Vivek wants five-out, everyone moving, threes flying. Doug’s caught in the middle, but he’s leaning toward Ranadivé’s vision.”
The result? DeRozan stuck in a reduced role, despite his résumé.
Fans, meanwhile, are divided. Some call for Christie to give the vet more burn, especially in crunch-time moments when games slow down and shot-creation becomes king. Others echo the organization’s direction, preaching patience and praising the development of young wings like T.J. Marble and K.J. Broome.
“I get it,” said longtime Booger fan Lenny “Loops” Jackson. “But man, we got a Hall-of-Famer sitting there cold on the bench while we’re down six in the fourth. That don’t sit right.”
For now, DeRozan keeps grinding in practice, keeping his frustration mostly behind closed doors. “All I can do is stay ready,” he told reporters, jaw tight. “When that time comes — and it will — I’ma remind y’all real quick.”
Whether that moment comes depends on Christie’s rotation philosophy — or Ranadivé’s long shadow. But one thing’s clear: Booger’s DeRozan isn’t done yet. And he’s hungry. Real hungry.
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