Toronto Raptors: 5 Reasons DeMar DeRozan Is Worth The Max

3. A Key Improvement

A distinct difference in DeRozan’s game from any of his previous years is his success out of the pick-and-roll. Most, if not all, NBA offenses are based around pick-and-roll sets, which is the most effective way to allow the ball handler to create opportunities for themselves or others.

Referencing back to Lowe’s article:

"” DeRozan runs as many as Lowry, and he’s among the half-dozen most efficient pick-and-roll ball handlers in the league, per Synergy. He has hit 98-of-197 shots out of the pick-and-roll this season, and he’s dishing dimes at a career-best rate.”"

A big reason why he has become more effective in these situations is patience and film study. In recent years, DeRozan always seemed to be in a rush coming off a ball screen to either get to the rim in a hurry or force a bad pass to the screener.

The Raptors have been using heavy doses of double ball-screens particularly when Biyombo is on the floor. In this case, DeRozan uses it to free up a shot for himself:

In another example — off a transition ball-screen from Lucas Nogueira — DeRozan rejects the pick but still forces the big to commit to the ball while putting the defender on his hip and ultimately a free lay-up for his teammate:

Next: 4. Playmaking Ability