Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan has become more difficult to defend | Toronto Star
What’s looked consistently good this year is DeRozan’s mid-range game. His field goal percentage is 44.6 — the best he’s had since 2009-10 and 2010-11, his first two years in the league. At 26, DeRozan’s understanding of what shots are available and when to take them seems to be at a career-best as well. On Saturday in Philadelphia, he coolly knocked down a couple of shots before going to work on whoever it was that ended up guarding him. He was physical as he backed down six-footer Ish Smith, using his size advantage against him, while still seeing the court. For Stauskas, a six-foot-six guard from Mississauga, DeRozan showed just how slippery he has gotten when he’s squaring up an opponent, looking to get him off of his feet and to create contact. With his right hand arching, Stauskas went into the pitfalls that come with guarding DeRozan. “That’s probably the hardest part, is the up-fakes,” he said. “He’s such a good mid-range shooter and he’s so good in the post doing that little turnaround fadeaway.
A video posted by DeMar DeRozan (@demar_derozan) on
DeMar DeRozan says he wants to play for Raptors his entire career | CBSSports.com
DeMar DeRozan has only played for one team in his seven-year NBA career, the Toronto Raptors. DeRozan has blossomed into an All-Star in Toronto and has turned the Raptors into one of the better teams in the East, making the playoffs for the last several years. Although DeRozan has already said he plans to opt-out of his contract in the offseason, he is not planning on leaving Toronto. DeRozan doesn’t only want to re-sign, but he wants to spend his entire career with the Raptors. As it so happens, this is also what Raptors GM Masai Ujiri wants as well.
DeMar DeRozan says he wants to re-sign with Toronto, play his whole career there | ProBasketballTalk
Beyond Kevin Durant and Al Horford, DeMar DeRozan will probably be the biggest name to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. The final year of his contract with the Raptors would pay him about $10.5 million next season, and it’s virtually a lock that he’ll opt out given his All-Star caliber play this season and—more importantly—the projected salary cap spike of $20 million when the league’s new TV deal kicks in. DeRozan’s new deal would pay him upwards of $20 million annually, and given the amount of cap space teams around the league will have and the scarcity of elite shooting guards, there will be no shortage of teams lining up to make DeRozan an offer. However, he’s made it clear that all things being equal, he wants to stay where he is.
What Raptors are looking forward to most in London | Sportsnet.ca
“We’re all taking our families over there and we’re all going to be together (as a team). It’s kind of like you’re away – but you’re together. Everybody needs to understand that it’s a business trip – but take it in – but we’ve got to make sure we go out and play the game.”
Five Thoughts: London a great opportunity for Raptors | TSN
The team is about to fly out to London on a charter flight and they are looking forward to the trip. This is a great opportunity for the Raps to make a statement from across the pond against the improving Magic. At 24-15 overall and 13-9 on the road, this club – in spite of injuries – has done a sound job. There is still a lot of room for internal improvement, yet it’s nice for the organization to get over there and be, at this stage, one of the better teams in the NBA. Throw in the All-Star Game in Toronto in February and there is a lot to be excited about. The icing on the cake would be success this spring. Enjoy.
Toronto Raptors Chat On The Fan 590 | Hoops Addict
The Toronto Raptors are coasting along this season with one of the top records in the Eastern Conference. However, there are some causes for concern. I joined Roger Lajoie on The Fan 590 to talk about the heavy minutes Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are playing, what needs to happen for the bench to step up and why DeRozan shouldn’t get max money this summer as a free agent.
Should Raptors buck trend against crashing O-boards? | Raptors Rapture
For Toronto, a decent squad which has aspirations to be great, the conclusion seems clear enough. To take the next step, management must either improve the outside shooting, particularly from distance, or commit to better rebounding. Our starting shooting guard, DeMar DeRozan, is shooting less than 30% this year for his 3-point attempts, and for his career. That’s not likely to improve. Our small forward is currently James Johnson, whom I never want to see taking a long shot. Our rotation guys, Patrick Patterson and Terrence Ross, have both endured lengthy shooting slumps. The chances of improving our long-ball shooting are virtually nil. That leaves better rebounding. We need a trade for somebody like Zach Randolph, who ranks third among power forwards in O-boards per game with 2.9, [Editor’s Note: for all you Kenneth Faried lovers; your man is first with 3.7] or try someone else at the spot. As mentioned, I don’t think the roster is going to provide the answer.
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