Toronto Raptors: 5 goals for DeMar DeRozan in 2017-18
By Randy Porga
2. Continue improvement and effort as a team player
DeMar DeRozan set personal career-bests this year, and not just in the way of pure offense. During 2016-17 he scored an absurd 27.3 points per game, but also had 5.2 rebounds per game and is coming off his second consecutive season with consistent assist numbers: 4.0 per game in 2015-16 and 3.9 per game during 2016-17.
His rebounding and assist marks are not the greatest, but can certainly speak to his ability to be a team player. Despite DeRozan averaging 20 shot attempts per game, he can produce opportunities when the ball is not just in his hands.
With the company of an additional sharpshooter in C.J Miles who is sure to be thrown into the rotation with the starting core on occasion, DeMar should be able to lure double-team defenses in his direction, opening up shots beyond the arc for his teammates.
DeRozan can be trusted with the ball in many situations in the clutch, but it will serve the team better if he can improve his court vision finding the better shot on the court when the opportunity presents itself.