If DeMar DeRozan has a trophy shelf, it’s probably growing a little full at this point. That is, assuming they give actual hardware for the NBA’s weekly awards.
DeRozan was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week spanning March 20-26, the league announced Monday. It’s DeRozan’s fourth time winning the award this season, tying LeBron James for the most in the conference. It also gives DeRozan six in his career, one shy of the record shared by Vince Carter and Chris Bosh.
The Raptors went 4-0 for the week, with DeRozan putting up a pair of 40-point games in a row for the first time in his career. Over the four games, he averaged 30.5 points on 48.5-percent shooting with 4.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and a number of previously uncharacteristic defensive highlights. It’s been par for the course since the All-Star break, with DeRozan continuing to solidify himself as one of the league’s premier players and one of the franchise’s greatest stars.
When Player of the Month awards for March are announced early next week, DeRozan might expect to hear his name called again then, too. In leading the Raptors to an 11-5 mark without Kyle Lowry so far, DeRozan has put up some strong numbers for the month, averaging 23.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, and while his scoring efficiency has dropped, he’s been the team’s best facilitator and has really improved his defensive play. Perhaps the scoring numbers and percentages taking a dip will doom his candidacy, but he should at least earn an honorable mention.
Looking ahead just a bit too much, DeRozan may even be playing his way into All-NBA consideration. It’s a bit of a long-shot given that some advanced metrics don’t rave about his game, that the Raptors underperformed for a large chunk of the year, and that the list of candidates makes for an absolutely loaded field, but DeRozan’s hot start to the season drew eyes and he’s closing out even stronger. If the Raptors stay hot rolling into the postseason, DeRozan may be able to boast a case that extends beyond the numbers.
