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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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Oct 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) look at the scoreboard during the third quarter in a game at the Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) look at the scoreboard during the third quarter in a game at the Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

2. An Obvious Plus

DeRozan’s size makes him a mismatch against the majority of NBA shooting guards. Listed at 6’7,” his athleticism to go with his height can be overwhelming even to big men when he is gliding down the lane preparing to take flight.

Whether it’s driving to the rim, posting up a smaller defender, or simply raising up for a mid-range jump shot, DeRozan on most nights is able to elevate over his matchup and not get disrupted. On the year, he is shooting 50.8 percent when his defender is 0-to-2 feet from him.

And if DeRozan isn’t able to elevate or shake his defender, he can always lean on his deadly pump-fake to free up an open shot for himself:

DeRozan fits best at the shooting guard for the Raptors specifically, but his size allows him also to spend some time as a stretch-4 if a team wants to play smaller/faster.

Next: 3. A Key Improvement

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