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2016 NBA Playoffs: Stars Facing Most Pressure In Round 1

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates after a stoppage in play against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates after a stoppage in play against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives between Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill (27) and guard Monta Ellis (11) in game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Indiana defeated Toronto 100-90. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) drives between Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill (27) and guard Monta Ellis (11) in game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Indiana defeated Toronto 100-90. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Series: 1-1 vs. Indiana Pacers

Position: Shooting Guard

Postseason Slash Line: .270/.000/.667

Postseason Averages: 33.5 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.5 SPG

The Toronto Raptors are facing more pressure than any other team during Round 1 of the 2016 NBA Playoffs. Toronto won a franchise-record 56 games in 2015-16, but it experienced first-round exits in both 2014 and 2015.

Bowing out in the first round for a third consecutive year could go as far as ending DeMar DeRozan’s tenure with the Toronto Raptors.

DeRozan will be an unrestricted free agent this coming summer. Talented and productive as he may be, it’s hard to imagine Masai Ujiri handing him a max contract if the Raptors were to lose in the first round of the playoffs in three straight attempts.

DeRozan has done himself no favors during the first two games of the series.

Toronto is tied with Indiana at 1-1, and DeRozan is averaging 12.0 points on 27.0 percent shooting from the field. Aside from the obvious fact that those are terrible numbers for a primary scoring option is the fact that he averaged 23.5 points on 44.6 percent shooting from the floor during the regular season.

DeRozan has made dramatic improvements to his game, but if he chokes away this series against the Pacers, his reputation will take a paralyzing hit.

Next: Done and Done?