Toronto Raptors Stars Must Learn From Team USA Experience

Playing for Team USA has helped propel players to career years in the past. But for the Toronto Raptors stars, the lessons go beyond simply getting to play with the best in the world.

Getting to play for your country on the world stage is a tremendous achievement. In an NBA environment, as players often play to promote their own brand through team success.

But when it comes to their national team, you have a grouping of alphas all sacrificing together for a common goal.

Friendships among players have been more prevalent these days, or at least we are made more aware of it in the social media age. However, Team USA playing together goes beyond summer workouts between friends.

The legendary practices among the league’s elite pushes the athletes to new levels as their competitive spirit takes over. In the past the games have felt secondary to the practices, as the level of competition pales in comparison to the scrimmages.

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For players like Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, there is an important lesson to be learned from this experience. Both players have been the No. 1 or No. 2 option on offense for the last few years. Playing with USA has forced to accept smaller roles for the good of the team.

Once they return to the Raptors, that of course will not be the case. However, with a deeper roster and a blossoming Jonas Valanciunas, they would be wise to bring some of that team concept back to Toronto.

In the playoffs last season, the fatigue was evident for both players. Neither had been that deep in the postseason before and the load that they had carried all year took its toll. But the two can no longer be a crutch for a talented Raptors team.

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Without the addition of another star this summer, internal growth is the only way they will take a step forward.

If DeMarre Carroll stays healthy, he should be able to alleviate some pressure from the duo. Getting meaningful contributions from players like Carroll, Valanciunas, Patrick Patterson and Norman Powell is essential next season.

Too frequently over the past few years, the team has relied on its stars to bail them out when things get tough. Offensive play calls were scrapped for isolation shots from Lowry and DeRozan.

The offensive workload has resulted in a repeated trend of playoff fatigue, and diminished impact on defense.

DeRozan has shown the ability to be a positive of defense as recently as two years ago. However, last season his defense fell off a cliff. Furthermore, his defense with the national team has been equally terrible.

He has been attempting to jump passing lanes, creating easy opportunities for the other team set up by simple head fakes. On other possessions he simply has fallen asleep and allowed easy penetration. Knowing that his his minutes are limited, there is no excuse for the lack of effort.

On the other hand, Lowry has done a much better job accepting a smaller role with the national team. He has provided them with quality minutes on both ends of the floor.

While his offensive game has some redundancies with starting point guard Kyrie Irving, Lowry has managed to give the team a quality punch off the bench.

The difference between how the players have embraced playing on USA has been staggering. Over the last three games of group play Lowry has had a net rating of plus-14.1. That rating is the second best on the team, while DeRozan has a staggering net rating of minus-30.

As a frame of reference, the second-worst net rating on the team is minus-3.8.

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The sample size of these numbers needs to be considered, but the results it jives with the eye test. DeRozan has seen his minutes cut due to his defensive play, while Lowry continues to make a positive impact.

The team remains the clear favorite to win a gold medal. But for the Toronto Raptors, the experiences of both players must be turned into a learning opportunity. Lowry must bring the same team-first mindset into next season to allow his teammates to have a larger role.

For DeRozan, the coaching staff must continue to deliver the same message that coach Mike Krzyzewski is delivering in Rio. DeRozan must learn that lax defense will not cut it against elite competition. He has all the physical tools to be an good defender.

With a solid supporting cast next season, the time to change is now.

If both players strive to keep the team involved and play a more balanced game, the Raptors will benefit. The potential for increased confidence and internal growth is vital to the future of the franchise. Status quo has been excellent in the past.

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But in order to take the next step, everybody must sacrifice for the good of the team.