DeMar DeRozan: Finally Kicking Into Gear
By Joshua Howe
It looks like DeMar DeRozan is finally getting back to basics and, conjointly, his game is on the rise.
Huzzah! It took a little more than a month, but it looks like DeMar DeRozan has returned to playing at the best of his ability and that can only mean good things for a Toronto Raptors team that has hopes of getting past the first round this season.
In the month of December, DeRozan has averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and is shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 86.5 percent from the free throw line in 37 minutes a night.
This month he’s had 10 contests in which he’s scored 20 or more points, and went on a nine-game streak of scoring 20-plus until it ended against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, when he scored 19 points. He’s also had three games in which he’s scored at least 30 points.
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DeRozan has gone on this onslaught of scoring against some pretty capable defenders too. He roasted Kawhi Leonard for 28, put up 20 on Paul George, dropped 28 on Wesley Matthews and torched Justise Winslow for 30.
So how is DeRozan doing all of this, and all of a sudden? Well, Kyle Lowry has the simple answer.
Per The Score, Lowry and DeRozan were joking around in an interview and poking fun at one another. When asked about DeMar’s recently improved field goal percentage, Lowry said, “Because you’re [DeRozan] not taking dumb ass shots.”
Basically, he’s right. As has always been, DeRozan’s strengths lie in attacking the basket and getting fouled. This is where he thrives. He’s also not a bad passer and when he’s in the flow of the game acting as part of a cohesive unit instead of a sticking point he becomes substantially more dangerous.
In the month of December, DeRozan has gone back to what he’s good at. While he’s still taking a fair amount of mid-range jumpers (admittedly, he is also just shooting an improved percentage on them), he’s attacking the paint even more.
Per NBA Savant, combining the shots he’s taken in the restricted area with the number of shots taken in the paint (non-restricted) amounts to 49.4 percent of his total shot attempts this month. DeRozan is using his sweet spots.
And even better than just using them, he’s capitalizing on them. The Toronto wing is shooting 55.9 percent in the restricted area and 52.6 percent in the paint. In other words, once he gets into the key, the ball is likely going in the hoop.
He’s basically stopped taking threes altogether (19 attempts from beyond the arc this month), and it would be nice to see that trend continue since he’s 25.0 percent on the season.
He’s even improving in fourth quarters somewhat. Again, he’s still relying on too many mid-range looks (39.1 percent on 23 attempts), but he is attacking the rim/paint about the same amount (a combined 48.2 percent on 29 attempts) and having pretty good success.
This is the DeMar that Raptors fans are used to seeing and the one I thought we’d see sooner since it’s a contract year for him. Oh well, I’m glad he’s here now. This version of DeRozan is infinitely more fun to watch.
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And hey, if he continues this trend and keeps figuring things out, the Raps may finally get their playoff series win after all. Here’s hoping.