Demar DeRozan

 it’s just like watching Harden…… His entire game is getting touch fouls so he can get to the free throw stripe…… jacking up tons of shots…….. & completely dominating the ball……

 it’s just like watching Harden…… His entire game is getting touch fouls so he can get to the free throw stripe…… jacking up tons of shots…….. & completely dominating the ball……

 Think DeRozan is the definition of a third-tier star. He’s not LeBron or Curry or Durant, who take up that first tier. He’s clearly below guys like Leonard, George, Westy, Griffin, Aldridge. 

He scores, but if he isn’t scoring, he’s not helping much. He doesnt check the other team’s best player…which is my standard for the elite wings in the league unless you can drop 30 like KD. He doesn’t rebound at a high rate, he doenst seem to impact the game unless he’s scoring and I don’t like that. 

That said, he’s been the best player on a top-5 or 6 team in the NBA and he’s usually a very good scorer. He’s not a bad player by any means. Just not an "elite" player. 

 Think DeRozan is the definition of a third-tier star. He’s not LeBron or Curry or Durant, who take up that first tier. He’s clearly below guys like Leonard, George, Westy, Griffin, Aldridge. 

He scores, but if he isn’t scoring, he’s not helping much. He doesnt check the other team’s best player…which is my standard for the elite wings in the league unless you can drop 30 like KD. He doesn’t rebound at a high rate, he doenst seem to impact the game unless he’s scoring and I don’t like that. 

That said, he’s been the best player on a top-5 or 6 team in the NBA and he’s usually a very good scorer. He’s not a bad player by any means. Just not an "elite" player. 

Even if he’s the 20th best player in the NBA, with the amount of cap space thats available at least 15 franchises would be interested in paying him the max. 

Most teams would get instantly better by signing him. If they can spend that same money better players elsewhere, all power to them.

But most can’t….and most NBA fans aren’t draft nerds who actually get annoyed when their team stinks because it’s full of average talent. 

Even if he’s the 20th best player in the NBA, with the amount of cap space thats available at least 15 franchises would be interested in paying him the max. 

Most teams would get instantly better by signing him. If they can spend that same money better players elsewhere, all power to them.

But most can’t….and most NBA fans aren’t draft nerds who actually get annoyed when their team stinks because it’s full of average talent. 

 It makes sense to say that someone who spent their whole life in California is probably going to leave a foreign country and go back to California, and the Lakers and a lot of money.

All the Kobe shots are available, DeRozan would be a good fit.  

He doesn’t have range, so as Toronto needed to find more shooters then the Lakers will too.

I don’t see why he would choose the Raptors, more money but also more winter and more taxes, when the Lakers can sign him and another huge star and also add a high draft choice, probably assuming they keep the pick.

 It makes sense to say that someone who spent their whole life in California is probably going to leave a foreign country and go back to California, and the Lakers and a lot of money.

All the Kobe shots are available, DeRozan would be a good fit.  

He doesn’t have range, so as Toronto needed to find more shooters then the Lakers will too.

I don’t see why he would choose the Raptors, more money but also more winter and more taxes, when the Lakers can sign him and another huge star and also add a high draft choice, probably assuming they keep the pick.

 Demar Derozan is in no way close to being the unguardable force that was Carmelo was in his prime. Melo averaged 25.7 ppg on 42% shooting for his playoff career compared to Derozan’s 22.5 ppg on 39% shooting in much fewer games and usually against worse teams. After tonight’s game, Derozan is shooting a dreadful 34.56% from the field, and was completely outplayed by paul george. If the pacers had been even a little bit better, Derozan would be home already.

Derozan is a fine player, but he’s flourished during a time with average shooting guards. Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Reggie Miller, Kobe, TMac, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson … etc, are all far superior players, but in this weak era of SG’s , he’s near the top of the crop. Even broken down Dwade is probably better than Derozan. 

Derozan is a fringe all star, and his awful playoff performances prove that every year. Please, do not compare him to Carmelo Anthony, a future hall of famer for certain.

 Demar Derozan is in no way close to being the unguardable force that was Carmelo was in his prime. Melo averaged 25.7 ppg on 42% shooting for his playoff career compared to Derozan’s 22.5 ppg on 39% shooting in much fewer games and usually against worse teams. After tonight’s game, Derozan is shooting a dreadful 34.56% from the field, and was completely outplayed by paul george. If the pacers had been even a little bit better, Derozan would be home already.

Derozan is a fine player, but he’s flourished during a time with average shooting guards. Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Reggie Miller, Kobe, TMac, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson … etc, are all far superior players, but in this weak era of SG’s , he’s near the top of the crop. Even broken down Dwade is probably better than Derozan. 

Derozan is a fringe all star, and his awful playoff performances prove that every year. Please, do not compare him to Carmelo Anthony, a future hall of famer for certain.

iggy in his prime was miles better than Derozan. You could argue that the current incarnation of Iguodala makes more winning basketball plays too.  

iggy in his prime was miles better than Derozan. You could argue that the current incarnation of Iguodala makes more winning basketball plays too.  

 & even to a Rebuilding team when he was w/ Phila……. He can do So many things for you…… & he Can score if you need him to…….. but he does Not have to score to affect the game…….

He’s a beast on Defense…… He can rebound, pass, etc…… He’s got great athleticism so he can get out on the fast break & get to the rim…… & he can shoot some too…… Plus he’s got a great attitude & he’s very dependable & great in the locker room (by all accounts)…….

I can’t see DeRozan ever being anything but a really Ball Dominant scorer on a Mediocre to good team…… I don’t want to beat up on the guy but he’s a poor man’s James Harden……

 & even to a Rebuilding team when he was w/ Phila……. He can do So many things for you…… & he Can score if you need him to…….. but he does Not have to score to affect the game…….

He’s a beast on Defense…… He can rebound, pass, etc…… He’s got great athleticism so he can get out on the fast break & get to the rim…… & he can shoot some too…… Plus he’s got a great attitude & he’s very dependable & great in the locker room (by all accounts)…….

I can’t see DeRozan ever being anything but a really Ball Dominant scorer on a Mediocre to good team…… I don’t want to beat up on the guy but he’s a poor man’s James Harden……

 How different would this conversation on DeRozan be if he was a really good defender? 

For me it’s a big part. He’s obviously struggled to score in the playoffs. Most guys see their shooting percentages go down in the playoffs but with him, the compounding fact that he isn’t helping his team on the other end makes it all that much more obvious that he isn’t an elite player. 

I also don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say he is an elite player…so it’s not like we should be having this big epipheny now realizing that DeRozan is what he is. He’s always been this type of guy…he’s a good player. Just not good enough to carry a team in the playoffs.

It’s also kind of amazing how we aren’t ripping Lowry more…that dude has been some kind of pathetic in the playoffs. 

 How different would this conversation on DeRozan be if he was a really good defender? 

For me it’s a big part. He’s obviously struggled to score in the playoffs. Most guys see their shooting percentages go down in the playoffs but with him, the compounding fact that he isn’t helping his team on the other end makes it all that much more obvious that he isn’t an elite player. 

I also don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say he is an elite player…so it’s not like we should be having this big epipheny now realizing that DeRozan is what he is. He’s always been this type of guy…he’s a good player. Just not good enough to carry a team in the playoffs.

It’s also kind of amazing how we aren’t ripping Lowry more…that dude has been some kind of pathetic in the playoffs. 

The problem with him is that he plays like a 1st option but should be a 2nd or 3rd option. However, if he were a 2nd or 3rd option, he would just disappear as his game is dictated with him handling the ball to score and pretty much nothing else (no defense, no passing, no rebounding). If he does leave for another team and isn’t a first option, I see his numbers dropping drastically.

The problem with him is that he plays like a 1st option but should be a 2nd or 3rd option. However, if he were a 2nd or 3rd option, he would just disappear as his game is dictated with him handling the ball to score and pretty much nothing else (no defense, no passing, no rebounding). If he does leave for another team and isn’t a first option, I see his numbers dropping drastically.

 Lowry has been in the league for 11 years and is a career 13 ppg player. Which ironically he is averaging 13 points on 30% shooting in these playoffs. He is what he is. I found it shocking when people on this site said he was a top 5 point guard in the NBA. 11 years and 13 ppg. Lou Williams has played just as long and is a career 12ppg guy. We shouldnt let one season out of 11 really set expectations that high for Lowry. He is a nice player. But so is Lou Williams. So with your best players being Derozan and Lowry, your teams potenial in the east is second round of the playoffs. They did that, but they probably wont make it to the conference finals. 

 Lowry has been in the league for 11 years and is a career 13 ppg player. Which ironically he is averaging 13 points on 30% shooting in these playoffs. He is what he is. I found it shocking when people on this site said he was a top 5 point guard in the NBA. 11 years and 13 ppg. Lou Williams has played just as long and is a career 12ppg guy. We shouldnt let one season out of 11 really set expectations that high for Lowry. He is a nice player. But so is Lou Williams. So with your best players being Derozan and Lowry, your teams potenial in the east is second round of the playoffs. They did that, but they probably wont make it to the conference finals. 

 Kyle Lowry’s game has risen from being a solid NBA starter to an All Star over the last 3 or so seasons. He has had to work very hard to get his success and is one of those later developing PGs. His career scoring is lower than you’d think due to him being a reserve for a big part of his career. 

DeRozan has always been a scorer but has needed a fair few shots, maybe a better version of Monta Ellis almost. But the guy is a double All Star and as a FA at his peak he’ll get good offers. I wouldn’t give him the full max he could get but he’ll get paid very well somewhere. I’d guess Toronto will really want to keep him as the team have won only the 2nd play off series in their history and the team is probably as successful a one as the fans have ever had.

 Kyle Lowry’s game has risen from being a solid NBA starter to an All Star over the last 3 or so seasons. He has had to work very hard to get his success and is one of those later developing PGs. His career scoring is lower than you’d think due to him being a reserve for a big part of his career. 

DeRozan has always been a scorer but has needed a fair few shots, maybe a better version of Monta Ellis almost. But the guy is a double All Star and as a FA at his peak he’ll get good offers. I wouldn’t give him the full max he could get but he’ll get paid very well somewhere. I’d guess Toronto will really want to keep him as the team have won only the 2nd play off series in their history and the team is probably as successful a one as the fans have ever had.

 Derozan is going to dominate Miami in this series they can’t check him. A lot of people are gonna change their tune after this series. The problem is mist people haven’t really watched his game so when he struggles they jump all over him. He shares the role of a 1st option on a team that gets home court advantage and won 50 games advancing to the 2nd round. He will get the max.

His defence is inconsistent and he lacks tough play despite being strong. He has bad body language at times and doesn’t know how to play to the refs like you would expect a veteran to. He is a good playmaker for the wing position but lacks natural handles. His jump shot comes and goes but when it is on he is an elite player it really opens up his game. The problem is the team relies on him being able to stick his jumpers and when he doesn’t the teams offensive scheme crumbles. Like mentioned above he is sort of stuck between being a 2nd and 3rd tier star in this league but he is a winner and is a team oriented guy that produces and expects success. He isn’t like a Rudy Gay or Tyreke Evans type guy that just stuffs stat sheets on bad teams.

 Derozan is going to dominate Miami in this series they can’t check him. A lot of people are gonna change their tune after this series. The problem is mist people haven’t really watched his game so when he struggles they jump all over him. He shares the role of a 1st option on a team that gets home court advantage and won 50 games advancing to the 2nd round. He will get the max.

His defence is inconsistent and he lacks tough play despite being strong. He has bad body language at times and doesn’t know how to play to the refs like you would expect a veteran to. He is a good playmaker for the wing position but lacks natural handles. His jump shot comes and goes but when it is on he is an elite player it really opens up his game. The problem is the team relies on him being able to stick his jumpers and when he doesn’t the teams offensive scheme crumbles. Like mentioned above he is sort of stuck between being a 2nd and 3rd tier star in this league but he is a winner and is a team oriented guy that produces and expects success. He isn’t like a Rudy Gay or Tyreke Evans type guy that just stuffs stat sheets on bad teams.

 22 points on 22 shots in game 1…I think Miami can live with that. 

I generally agree with OhCanada’s assessment. It’s not like DeRozan is a bad player. He’s clearly really good. But he’s not "elite"…and that’s fine. It doesn’t mean he can’t have a successful career and be on a winning team. The Raptors are a winning team. They are really good and DeRozan has been a huge part of that. 

But when he goes against guys who are better than him, it is really clear. He was thoroughly outplayed by Paul George in the first round. He’s a clear step below some of the top wing players in the league right now to the point that when he matches up with those guys, he really really struggles. 

That’s not a knock on him. It’s just my assessment of DeRozan as a player. He’s in that third tier of NBA stars which puts him in that 20-25 range of guys I’d build my team around. No shame in being a top-25 NBA player. 

 22 points on 22 shots in game 1…I think Miami can live with that. 

I generally agree with OhCanada’s assessment. It’s not like DeRozan is a bad player. He’s clearly really good. But he’s not "elite"…and that’s fine. It doesn’t mean he can’t have a successful career and be on a winning team. The Raptors are a winning team. They are really good and DeRozan has been a huge part of that. 

But when he goes against guys who are better than him, it is really clear. He was thoroughly outplayed by Paul George in the first round. He’s a clear step below some of the top wing players in the league right now to the point that when he matches up with those guys, he really really struggles. 

That’s not a knock on him. It’s just my assessment of DeRozan as a player. He’s in that third tier of NBA stars which puts him in that 20-25 range of guys I’d build my team around. No shame in being a top-25 NBA player.