Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have both been in a funk – and perhaps the only good that has come out of it is the fact that they’re self-aware of the whole issue.
When posed the question by the media on how he’s playing, Lowry responded by calling himself ‘trash’. Not too long after, DeRozan took a slice of humble pie and followed suit.
Where do you see your game right now? Lowry: "I'm trash. I'm trying to figure it out right now, to be honest with you"
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 26, 2015
Well, awareness is a good start. The next step would be to realize that ‘figuring it out’ is actually easy to do. On this three-game skid, Lowry has shot 29.8% from the floor and has had a +/- of -9. 21 of his 44 shots have been from behind-the-arc, and just 11 of those shots have been in the paint.
Lowry’s assists are also down by two dimes in the past three games in comparison to his season average. First step to ‘figuring it out’: Realize you need to take good open looks, and start moving the basketball. Patrick Patterson hinted at this yesterday.
“We build up strong leads and I think we’re just getting too lackadaisical, getting too comfortable, getting a lot of iso situations rather than keep moving the ball, sharing the ball, keep executing our offence,” Patterson said.
DeMar DeRozan to Sun on where his own game is: "Right there in the trash can beside (Lowry)."
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) February 26, 2015
In DeMar’s case, it’s more of the same. He’s shot 34% during the losing streak, but surprise, once he gets into the restricted area, his percentage jumps up a notch – or three.
Take it to the rim, DeMar. Your strengths are finishing around the basket and hitting the open mid-range jumper;
