NBA Player Power Rankings: Mid-March MVP Rankings

May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 13, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball in front of Dallas Mavericks guard Seth Curry (30) in the second half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

12. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 27 (8/7/1989)
Experience: 8th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .465/.257/.849
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.3 MPG, 27.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 ORPG, 1.1 SPG

The Toronto Raptors have been playing and losing without starting point guard Kyle Lowry. Toronto has remained afloat in the pursuit of a Top 4 seed, however, and shooting guard DeMar DeRozan is the primary reason why.

Toronto wins when DeRozan plays well, as evidenced by his averages of 28.2 points per game on 48.2 percent shooting during wins and 25.4 points on 43.9 percent shooting during losses.

DeRozan started the week on a high note with 28 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals in a 105-99 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He struggled the next time out, but redeemed himself with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting against the Dallas Mavericks.

DeRozan closed out the week with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting against Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

DeRozan may never test well from an advanced metrics perspective, but he’s a legitimate star. Now a three-time All-Star, the 27-year-old has solidified his place as a foundational piece of a borderline contender.

If the Raptors are going to turn this rough patch around, it will be DeRozan who pulls them out and restores a high level of execution.