Toronto Raptors: 5 takeaways from the 2018-19 NBA season

3. Kyle Lowry is a playoff failure no more

Since helping the Raptors rise to prominence, Kyle Lowry’s garnered the reputation as somewhat of a postseason flameout. While averages of 17.0 points and 6.3 assists per game would say otherwise, there have admittedly been times throughout his six playoff runs where the five-time All-Star has disappeared.

His numbers of 15.0 points and 6.6 assists don’t scream greatness. What Lowry failed to do in past postseason runs, though, he did consistently throughout these playoffs, sprinkling some of his biggest games in Toronto’s biggest moments.

In getting the Raptors to the Finals, he shot 46.5 percent from deep on his way to 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game against Milwaukee. Against the Warriors, he helped limit Curry to just 41.4 percent shooting from the field and 34.3 percent from beyond the arc. Lowry would average 16.2 points while also throwing in 7.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game for good measure as well.

His game has never been about getting buckets, but it’s all anybody seems to talk about when grading his performance. During these playoffs, the Raptors were still a +8.4 per 100 possessions with their leader on the court, despite nearly as many games scoring single-digits as there were 20-point performances.

The Raptors have failed to live up to past potential in part because of Lowry’s shortcomings in the postseason. This year, he played his best ever, and it helped Toronto to the ultimate goal with the ultimate validation for a long-frustrated player.