DeMar DeRozan recently delved into the emotional fallout following his 2018 trade from the Toronto Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs during an appearance on the "Club 520" podcast. DeRozan opened up about the profound impact the trade had on him, sharing that he went through a period of isolation for roughly two weeks after learning of the move.

"When I got traded, I didn't speak to anyone for about two weeks. I didn't pick up the phone. I was furious. I felt betrayed, and I won't lie about it," DeRozan admitted. "But then Coach Popovich called out of the blue and told me, 'Listen, we're not trading you away; we're trading for you.' That changed my perspective."

The trade that sent DeRozan to the Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard stunned many, especially considering DeRozan's deep connection to Toronto. He had been the face of the Raptors franchise, a player who publicly vowed to bring success to the team, and had just inked a long-term contract with them. For DeRozan, the trade felt like a slap in the face, and the emotional impact was palpable.

DeRozan's relationship with the Raptors and the city of Toronto ran deeper than a professional one; it was personal. Drafted by the Raptors in 2009, he spent nine seasons with the team, becoming their all-time leading scorer. His unwavering loyalty to the city and the franchise was well-known, which made the trade all the more painful.

During this difficult period, it was Spurs coach Gregg Popovich who reached out to DeRozan. His words ultimately helped DeRozan start to process the situation. Popovich's perspective helped shift DeRozan's viewpoint, reminding him of his value as a player and what he could bring to his new team in San Antonio.

Though the transition was tough, DeMar DeRozan eventually embraced his new role with the Spurs. His time in San Antonio became an important chapter in his career, where he continued to grow as a player and leader. However, those initial weeks of silence and reflection demonstrated just how much the trade affected him both personally and professionally.

DeMar DeRozan has always been candid about the immense challenge of facing LeBron James, especially during his prime in the Eastern Conference. During the "Club 520" podcast, DeRozan spoke frankly about the daunting task of defeating LeBron in the playoffs throughout the 2010s, a feat that seemed almost impossible at the time. As a key player for the Toronto Raptors, DeRozan often found his playoff hopes dashed by James. Despite the Raptors experiencing some of their best seasons, DeRozan and his teammates were repeatedly eliminated by LeBron-led teams, first with the Miami Heat and later with the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron's dominance in the East was so strong that he led his teams to eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2011 to 2018.

Jeff Teague is another player who shared similar frustrations, revealing that he had never beaten LeBron in the playoffs, going 0-16 across multiple series.

LeBron's reign over the Eastern Conference was nearly mythical, characterized by his remarkable consistency and dominance. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and leadership made him an almost unbeatable force, especially in the playoffs. For DeRozan, Teague, and many others, LeBron was the insurmountable barrier that defined an era in the Eastern Conference.