I love DeMar DeRozan.
I said it, and I’m sure I’m going to get ripped apart by commentators, but it’s true: I love DeMar.
He has his flaws/weaknesses, but DeMar has consistently added to his game and developed in a way that few would have imagined when he was drafted in 2009. The Raptors got one of the top shooting guards in the league with just the ninth overall pick.
When he was drafted DeRozan was selected almost entirely based on his athleticism. After a somewhat underwhelming freshman year at Southern California, DeRozan declared for the draft with the expectation of being selected somewhere in the lottery. After all, many of the decisions made in the lottery are based solely on potential.
DeRozan could leap out of the building, but could do little more than that. He shot 56.2 percent from the two point range (many of which were taken near or around the basket), attempted just one shot from long distance a game (which he hit just 16.7 percent of the time), drained only .646 percent of his free throws, and assisted on just 1.5 buckets per game.
Not exactly numbers that leap off the page.
But what has defined DeRozan’s career to date hasn’t been his limitations, but rather his work ethic. DeMar has entered each season of his career having added to his skillset. He has extended his range, learned to draw fouls at a near league leading level, turned his handle from a liability into a significant weapon, learned what to do when being sent a double team, and has even become one of the better help defenders on the roster.
His game is barely recognizable when compared to what it was upon entering the league, and that in itself it something to appreciate.
Work ethic is an underappreciated ability due to the simple fact that it is impossible to measure. We don’t have stats to back up what we read, and we don’t even have a firsthand eye test because we don’t get to see the work that is put in outside of game situations.
We just have the results to go from, and with DeMar it has been a steady six year transformation to get to this point. Changing himself from a raw rookie, to a key starter on one of the top teams in the NBA and an All Star too. It hasn’t always been pretty (in fact, it often hasn’t), but it’s been a treat to watch.
But what I have especially loved about DeMar of late is his transformation into a point forward of sorts for the Raptors. His play making since returning from injury has been one of the true highlights of an already highlight filled year.
Prior to his injury DeMar’s assist ratio (the number of assists a player averages per 100 possessions) was just 10.8. Since returning against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 14, DeRozan has an assist ratio of 16.2.
His assist percentage has also increased from 13.2 percent before his injury to 20.2 since his return. This leap in playmaking by DeRozan has gone a long way to improve the Raptors overall ball movement.
All that said, I understand the complaint in regards to DeRozan’s shot selection. I don’t understand the trade demands that often come from fans due to this selection, but I do understand the initial complaint. The mid-range jumper is known throughout the analytics world as the least efficient shot one can take, and DeRozan takes a lot of them.
In fact, these shots have been even more prevalent since DeMar returned from injury, as DeRozan has taken 132 mid-range shots over this time. This is compared to just 39 shots in the restricted area, and 39 shots in the paint (non restricted area). In fact, the mid-range shot has made up 41.6 percent of DeRozan’s shots over the last 16 games, a number that needs to be lowered.
Thankfully, DeRozan’s playmaking and ability to draw contact make his shot selection more palatable, and the threat of his jumper does open up opportunities for teammates. It may not be the traditional way to stretch the floor, but it can have a similar impact.
What has shocked me the most though is DeMar’s impact on the Raptors defensively. DeMar has always been thought of as a below average defender, but might now be the team’s top help defender. It was shortly after his injury that the Raptors began their quick descent towards the bottom of the defensive rankings. Since his return to the line-up the Raptors have been steadily improving in this regard, and are ranked 15th in the league (since January 14) for points allowed per 100 possessions. Not great, but better than without him.
Yes, DeRozan has flaws, but I still love him…and you should too.
