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NBA Player Power Rankings: Three-Quarter Season Awards

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball past Brooklyn Nets guard Markel Brown (22) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball past Brooklyn Nets guard Markel Brown (22) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

17. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Award: N/A

Last Rank: No. 17

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .444/.333/.845

Season Averages: 36.1 MPG, 23.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.1 SPG

Few players have made as many genuine improvements to their game as Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan. Previously known as an inefficient midrange jump shooter who had limited range and a painful tendency to avoid slashing, DeRozan has addressed each of those critical weaknesses.

In turn, he’s firmly established himself as one of the Top 20 players in the NBA this season.

DeRozan is converting a career-best 33.3 percent of his 3-point field goals, and is attacking the rim with relentless pursuit. He’s No. 1 in the NBA in points via drives per game, and is quietly No. 15 in the Association in Win Shares.

This past week did nothing but help DeRozan solidify his place as one of the best shooting guards in the NBA.

DeRozan opened the week with an explosive 38 points in a 117-115 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. He then tallied 19 points and seven assists against the Houston Rockets, and scored 25 points in a 104-99 win against the Brooklyn Nets.

DeRozan has his fair share of critics, but the Raptors’ star shooting guard has earned his place in the Top 20 in 2015-16.

Next: King of the Double-Double