NBA Player Power Rankings: Superstars Keep Making History

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Mar 29, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball in the second half of a 110-106 loss to Charlotte Hornets at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

11. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 27 (8/19/1989)
Experience: 8th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .467/.259/.842
2016-17 season Averages: 35.4 MPG, 27.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.1 SPG

Many were skeptical of how DeMar DeRozan would respond to receiving a five-year contract worth $139 million. In the first season of that monster deal, however, DeRozan has put forth his best campaign to date.

Even without All-NBA point guard Kyle Lowry, DeRozan has helped the Raptors maintain the pace in a now competitive Eastern Conference.

DeRozan and the Raptors have won six of their past seven games. This past week, DeRozan led Toronto to a 94-86 road win over the Dallas Mavericks with 18 points and six assists, and followed with 36 points on 13-of-21 shooting in a 131-112 blowout of the Orlando Magic.

Though Toronto lost its final game of the week, DeRozan continued to perform at a high level with 28 points, eight assists, and six rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets.

DeRozan is on pace to become the second player in franchise history to average at least 27.0 points per game. Most importantly, he’s proving that he can help the Raptors win when Lowry, widely regarded as the team’s top player, is out.

DeRozan may never test well in the advanced metrics, but there’s no rational reason to question the legitimacy of his star status.