DeMar DeRozan is an All Star, and a deserving one at that. This Sunday will mark the second time in DeRozan’s career that he suits up for the Eastern Conference All Star team, and he will do so on the home court that he has helped to rebuild from the ashes.
For the majority of the franchise history, the Raptors have been underwhelming to say that least. With only five playoff appearances in 20 years, and only one series victory to show for it (and a five game series win at that), the Raptors have had little to write home about.
And now here we are. Kyle Lowry will be starting for the Eastern Conference on Sunday, and will represent the Raptors on Saturday night in the three point challenge, and DeRozan has continually shown his pride in the city that drafted him ninth overall in 2009.
He came into the league with little to his game other than athleticism and an incredible work ethic, and he has turned himself into one of the top shooting guards in the league. In just three years he has gone from being overpaid at $9.5 million a year, to easily earning a max contract from someone in the summer of 2016.
Even last summer I was incredibly doubtful of DeRozan’s stature as a max contract player. I wasn’t doubtful that he would get it (the salary cap explosion is going to lead to some crazy contracts in 2016), but I had serious doubts about the Raptors handing out such a contract.
A shooting guard who cannot shoot from three, and who specializes in the mid-range isn’t exactly a recipe for a max contract, particularly when it isn’t accompanied by elite defense (Competent? Yes. Elite? No.). Yet here we are.
He has been a leader both on and off the court for Toronto, and I am shocked to say that I am hopeful he will remain in Toronto…that he will choose the Raptors over traditional free agent destinations like the Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat. Perhaps even give a home town discount? One can dream…
After all, DeRozan this season has limited his dependency on the mid-range shot, and has instead shown an elite ability to get to the rim almost at will. Quick feet, a wild mix of pump-fakes, and a new level of aggressiveness have caused opponents fits when facing DeMar.
But the same concern still exists. How can a team build around a shooting guard that doesn’t have a three point shot, especially in the new three point heavy NBA? If your shooting guard is unable to stretch the floor it requires additional shooting up and down the line-up. A stretch four is no longer a luxury, but is an absolute must.
If DeRozan is unable to hit the three, his long term fit with Jonas Valanciunas is also worrisome. Two non-shooters sharing the floor add pressure to have elite shooting from the other three spots.
What makes this more confusing is that DeMar claims that he can shoot the three. The issue that I made about his shot is one that he dismisses. If you can get to the rim whenever you want, why not do it? After all, isn’t that the most efficient shot to take?
But the issue remains. Seven years into his career and this season is just the second time in his career that he has shot above 30 percent. He is currently shooting 31.6 percent on just 1.9 attempts per game, and shot 30.5 percent from three in 2013-14 (on 2.7 attempts per game).
And that’s the consistent argument against DeRozan. How can someone be an elite scorer from the wing without the highest scoring play in his arsenal? Adding a three point shot would make his game more dynamic and would also help the team as a whole, which is what makes his recent stretch so encouraging.
We revisit this each summer, as everyone assumes that the three point shot will be DeRozan’s next addition. This is why DeMar’s recent stretch of shooting has been a mild encouragement in this regard.
Over his last 10 games DeMar is shooting 45.5 percent from three on 2.2 attempts per game. Sure, this is basically the smallest of sample sizes, but it’s an encouraging sign nonetheless; particularly since it has looked like DeRozan has been looking for his three point shot more frequently. If you ignore October due to its small sample size (only two games), DeRozan has added more three point attempts nearly every month this season (1.3 attempts in November, 1.7 in December, 2.6 in January, but 1.8 through three games in February).
This is an encouraging sign to say the least, but as already stated is far too small of a sample size to establish a belief in. After all, DeRozan has had similar hot stretches throughout the past few years. And just look at some of the names that have shot similar to DeRozan over their last 10 games (minimum 2 attempts per game): Sasha Vujacic (46.2 percent on 2.6 attempts per game), Norris Cole (45.8 percent on 2.4 attempts per game), and Rajon Rondo (45.8 percent on 2.4 attempts per game).
And yet I’m still encouraged. I’m probably blinded by good feelings as everything seems to be going well for the Raptors (new practice facility opens tomorrow, two games back of Cleveland for the conference lead, 5 game cushion for second over Boston, and All Star Weekend about to kick off in Toronto for the first time), but DeMar DeRozan with a moderately consistent three point shot is a very deadly offensive weapon.
…I still reserve the right to deny this ever happened in a few weeks when his shooting has reverted to the norm.
