Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Player Power Rankings: The Final Push For MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 21
Next
Apr 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks to play a ball Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) tries to defend during the second quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks to play a ball Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) tries to defend during the second quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

17. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Last Rank: No. 19

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .446/.346/.848

Season Averages: 36.2 MPG, 23.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 3PM

The Toronto Raptors wouldn’t be as good as they are if not for the significant improvements made by DeMar DeRozan. Kyle Lowry has led Toronto as far as it’s come, but it’s DeRozan’s improved understanding of how to utilize his skills has the Raptors in the position they are.

For those unfamiliar, Toronto has won a franchise-record 52 games after never previously reaching the 50-win plateau.

DeRozan is averaging a career-best 23.7 points per game on a slash line that accurately depicts his dramatic improvement. His field goal percentage, .446, is his highest since 2010-11, and his 3-point field goal percentage, .346, is the best of his seven-year career.

DeRozan is also getting to the line for 8.6 free throw attempts per game, which ranks No. 3 in the NBA and is another career-high.

The foundation for DeRozan’s improvement has been his acceptance of what works for him: driving to the basket. Rather than settling for a litany of contested midrange jump shots, he’s No. 1 in the NBA in points via drives to the basket per game.

DeRozan is on the attack, and Toronto is having the best year in franchise history because of it.

Next: The Complete Package