For the fifth time in five years, Kyle Lowry will represent the Toronto Raptors at the all-star game. That’s a fantastic reward for a deserving point guard whose game has changed even while it’s remained the same. Lowry has per-game averages of 14.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.5 blocks, on 32.2% from 3 and 41.0% from the field. He leads the team in plus-minus, at 8.6. You can read a few pieces RR has previously published about Lowry’s dominance this season here and here.
In short, Lowry is everything to the Raptors. When he plays well, they win. He does so much for Toronto, and his leadership on and off the court is the foundation upon which all of the team’s success is built. He has previously been an all-star four times, and he started in the game in 2015 and 2016. He dunked in the 2015 game. I swear.
Nick Nurse said earlier in the day that he didn’t even have to make a case for Lowry. When he spoke with other coaches they simply said, oh yeah, he’s in, you don’t need to convince us, according to Nurse. The league knows Toronto is great, and that Lowry is the leader. Those two facts alone were enough for him to be an all-star.
Lowry’s inclusion in the all-star game contributed to Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka not being given the distinction. There’s only so many spots, and Toronto was probably only ever going to get two all-stars. Siakam is close, but he’s so young and exciting that he’s sure to earn some all-star bids in the future. What a meteoric rise. Ibaka is likely not going to ever play better than he is this season, so it’s a shame that he didn’t make it. Still, his solid yet unspectacular averages of 16.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks belie his true value to the team. He started off the season hitting every shot he took, though he has cooled off to simply very good in recent weeks. Ibaka was worthy of all-star consideration.
Lowry will join teammate Kawhi Leonard in the all-star game. Leonard has simply been one of the best players in the league, and his being named a starter was just a formality. Both will be picked in the all-star draft that will take place on February 7, when captains Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James will select their teams. Hopefully, Lowry and Leonard are among the earlier names taken off the board. The draft will take place at 8 p.m. ET at Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
