DeMar DeRozan’s improvement key to Toronto Raptors’ success
After a rough start to the season, the Toronto Raptors rebounded to win the Atlantic Division and although they were defeated by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs, expectations have been raised.
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One of the reasons many are high on the Raptors is the continued improvement of guard DeMar DeRozan, who won a gold medal with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup this summer.
According to Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders, DeRozan’s continued development will be key to the Raptors’ success.
"The Toronto Raptors are a team on the rise and should be over the jitters that played a role in preventing them from reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season. The fact that Toronto was able re-sign Kyle Lowery early in free agency, despite the presence of multiple suitors, bodes well for the franchise. DeMar DeRozan spent a large chunk of his summer working out with the U.S. Men’s National Team, winning a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. DeRozan’s development as the featured gun is a pivotal part of the Raptors’ continued rise in the standings. Toronto should win the Atlantic Division and anything less than a second playoff appearance should be considered a disappointment."
DeRozan was obviously a very good player last year and now he will need to work on becoming more efficient.
DeRozan averaged 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 42.9% from the field, 30.5% from beyond the arc and 82.4% from the free throw line last season. He was originally drafted by the Raptors with the ninth-overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. In his five-year NBA career, he’s put up 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 44.7% from the field, 26.7% from three and 81.5% from the charity stripe.
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