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Toronto Raptors: 5 Reasons DeMar DeRozan Is Worth The Max

By Colby Giacubeno

Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during their game against the New York Knicks at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during their game against the New York Knicks at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

1. The Dependability Factor

The given that comes along with DeRozan is that he is a great scorer. At his position, he is one of the top players in terms of being able to get to the basket and score with ease. His newfound ability to change speeds in the middle of dribbling has made him even more difficult for opposing defenders.

Many argue that DeRozan is one-dimensional and is a guy who will only slash to the basket or shoot the occasional mid-range shot. In a sense, they’re right, but his versatility is another area that has improved vastly since last season.

His numbers don’t do his willingness to take the outside shot justice. Last season, DeRozan attempted 1.5 three’s per game compared to this season’s 1.8. Point guard Kyle Lowry has been urging DeRozan to take more outside shots because once he shows defenses he is a consistent threat, the paint will be wide open for him to create yet another poster dunk.

One thing is for certain, DeRozan is going to bring scoring and do so efficiently. In his seven seasons in the NBA, he has never shot below 40 percent from the floor–his career field goal percentage is 44.2. When he does make his mind up and drive to the basket, his tremendous free-throw percentage (84.6) scares off any defender that thinks he may get called for a foul.

Just because DeRozan isn’t a sniper, doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the craftiest scorers in the association.

Next: 2. An Obvious Plus

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