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NBA Power Rankings: Top 20 Players Heading Into 2017

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second half at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 121-111. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second half at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 121-111. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

15. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 27 (8/27/1989)
Experience: 8th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .473/.245/.838
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.4 MPG, 27.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.3 SPG

Whether you love or hate DeMar DeRozan’s midrange-based game, there’s no question that it’s working. He’s one of the Top 5 scorers in the NBA and has embraced the need to defend and facilitate at higher levels.

Whether or not he begins to value the 3-point shot in the near future, DeRozan is evolving into a two-way player who embraces the need for offensive versatility.

DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors lost to the Golden State Warriors, but he helped lead a comeback that sent quite the statement. He posted 29 points, six assists, five rebounds, three steals, and a block in a game that was a microcosm for his development.

DeRozan and the Raptors won’t be defeated because of a lack of effort, and DeRozan’s relentlessness is a key to that identity.

DeRozan is on pace to set career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game. He’s also on pace to set new career-highs in field goals and free throws made and attempted, as well as field goal percentage.

There’s no telling if DeRozan will be able to maintain this sensational pace, but he’s a stellar postseason away from superstardom.