Toronto Raptors: The Baby-Faced Assassin, Kyle Lowry Belongs In MVP Discussion
Toronto Raptors’ fans had been licking their chops, waiting impatiently for the Brooklyn Nets to land on Canadian soil once again — demons of the Game 7 defeat have remained with this city throughout.
The easy analysis would be to start praising the mission-accomplished plot of revenge (at least for one evening), but this season is bigger than that; the Raps now exist on another level, with bigger fish to fry.
Although, the retribution was a sight to behold; not to mention Wednesday being “Drake Night” at the Air Canada Centre — which led to the team’s “ambassador” announcing the starting lineup.
I’m not quite sure what that job description entails, other than performing his finest Spike Lee impressions in his courtside seats, but this was not Degrassi: The Next Generation; it was actually entertaining!
For your viewing enjoyment:
Now, back to the focal point of the offense:
When bad habits rear their ugly head, every squad needs its captain to take the “bull” by the horns — make no mistake, there was plenty of foolishness for Kyle Lowry to grab a hold of early on.
Sloppy transition defense, butter-finger ball handling, lethargic effort on the boards; name the inefficiency, and the Raps failed miserably at it.
Enter the “Baby-Faced Assassin,” and the second-half reboot.
Leadership at its finest. The calming yet energizing effect K-Low has on this team when both ends of the floor are in disarray is uncanny; gunning for the free-throw line or sacrificing his body to draw the charge is what sets the example, Lowry simply excels at both.
Vince and Mighty Mouse are legendary figures in their own right, but has this organization rostered another player who owns the feel for the game as much as Lowry? … I beg to differ.
Proof is in the MVP discussion, which No.7 has officially joined. Let’s rundown the resume so far this season, entering Wednesday’s tilt:
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- 13th in scoring: 19.6 points per game.
- 5th in assists: 7.6 dimes per game / 12th in assist percentage: 36.4
- 10th in free-throw attempts : 144 tries from the charity stripe.
- 9th in PER (Player Efficiency Rating): 23.0
- 6th in Win Shares: 4.0
- 1st in Charges Drawn: 14
- 7th in Rebounding among Point Guards: 4.7
- 3rd in Offensive Box Plus/Minus: 6.5
- And registering a 5.9 (ranking 7th) in the category yet to acquire mainstream attention, but the hippest around — VORP (as the kids call it), otherwise known as: Value Over Replacement Player — or the next Star Trek installment.
This application has now been filed under the short-list.
A couple honorable mention shout-outs must be mentioned. Jonas Valanciunas continues to embark on his new-found confidence. A refined touch, with steadier footwork are taking the next step — four double-doubles in his last six games has the league on notice.
And not to be left out in the cold, the Raps second-half defense was a flashback to its stifling ways of the past. Don’t look now, but Toronto has held opponents under the century mark in four straight games — can it be trusted moving forward? … The jury remains deadlocked.
It all comes full circle in connection to Lowry, however. Intensity in the defensive zone, and establishing an inside identity are languages the Raps must become fluent in to keep this freight-train sustainable for the long haul. The former Villanova Wildcat is demonstrating his awareness.
With memories of Game 7’s last possession remaining prominent, it was only fitting K-Low was going to come out swinging.
Was there ever any doubt ? … Add another monster occasion to the growing list. 20 points, 12 assists, and 7-for-13 from the field marked his 8th double-double of the season.
More importantly, chalk up another illustration of leading this city to another dimension.
A north of the border MVP? … The tide is shifting.