San Antonio Spurs: DeMar DeRozan is the most relatable NBA superstar

Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan of the San Antonio Spurs gave some insight into his psyche, confirming that he is the most relatable superstar in the NBA.

Picture this: your job, while meaningful to you in its own way, demands you to push your physical strength and mental durability on a daily basis. You’re constantly separated from your family and friends, flying from city-to-city to repeat the process all over again. Your financial status is out in the open, enabling people who you don’t know to count your pockets and assume that your life is easy because you earn a big paycheck. You’re at constant rick of being heckled or trolled because of your status as a public figure, turning any average daily activity into a spectacle for others.

Sounds lonely, doesn’t it?

San Antonio Spurs shooting guard DeMar DeRozan has been extremely open about his personal battles with depression, loneliness and mental health issues since his days in Toronto. The 29-year-old is without a doubt one of the most consistent scorers and playmakers in the league and has been widely recognized for it, but he continues to battle with internal frustration.

In a video entitled “DeMar DeRozan: Inside an Athlete’s Head” produced by CBC Sports, DeRozan delivers a powerful monologue recounting his personal struggles with being a professional athlete – both on and off the court. As he makes his way through Spurs practice facilities, DeRozan vents about his own journey through the NBA and the toll it takes on him to this day.

“It’s such a rollercoaster ride and you have to find a calm to get through it every single day…

Being a pro is extremely lonely for me. You know, other people might have their own vices that they use to get through it. The hardest and the toughest thing is you making that sacrifice or losing friendships, being more distanced from your family and missing out on special moments. You miss out on the norm of a life in a sense.”

More from Air Alamo

• Devin Vassell is the latest in the Spurs’ collection of silent assassins
• San Antonio Spurs: 5 Players to avoid in any LaMarcus Aldridge deal
• Is Gregg Popovich hiding Luka Samanic as a secret weapon?
• San Antonio Spurs News: More DeRozan trade talk from Chris Haynes
• Spurs fans show Dejounte Murray support, buy all the New Balance shoes

It’s not often that a professional athlete gives a window into the mental and emotional hurdles that they face by choosing this line of work. DeRozan’s honesty and sincerity are simultaneously heartbreaking and enlightening.

Average citizens face mental health issues and bouts with depression on a daily basis, but the general population fails to recognize that professional athletes deal with these same issues.

DeMar DeRozan has become the NBA’s most relatable superstar because of his honesty over the course of the last few years. Like most average people, he wants to become the best version of himself and provide a happy and healthy life to his daughters.

More so than his on-court endeavors DeRozan is just trying to find happiness while being the best father than he can be. He’s facing the harsh reality that money and professional success don’t automatically equate to a carefree life. Everyone gets down on themselves sometimes and pro athletes are no different.

Want your voice heard? Join the Air Alamo team!

Write for us!

San Antonio has come to love DeMar DeRozan and it seems like he’s learning to love it back. Moments like this give fans all of the more reason to root for his success.