God’s Plan: 4 reasons the Toronto Raptors aren’t just a tease this year

DeMar DeRozan: The superstar

DeMar DeRozan is having a quiet season from a traditional numbers perspective. You truly have to watch Toronto or take a deep look at his numbers to see his improvements.

We talked earlier about the Raptors needing more from their stars to have a chance at winning big, and DeRozan has done just that. He’s simply taken his game to another level, and deserves more recognition for it.

For starters, he’s having the best assisting season of his career. While always able to put up impressive scoring numbers, there was a question about whether he could make his teammates better. Averaging a career high in assists at 5.2 per game has been DeRozan’s answer.

DeRozan is also a little bit more effective in his efforts this season posting a career high in true shooting percentage (56.1 percent). His improvements haven’t ended there, as he’s also making the most 3-pointers per game in for his career. Let’s also point out that’s he’s top 50 in defensive wins shares.

Next: 5 reasons the Toronto Raptors can win the East

Those subtle improvements make DeRozan less predictable, more deadly, and the Raptors more complete. It also makes DeRozan superstar-capable — a superstar finally equipped internally and externally to take Toronto as far as it’s ever gone.