When it comes to the history of the Toronto Raptors, there are two players that have to be in the conversation for their greatest player in franchise history. Those names would be DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. Sure, the Raptors have had other greats such as Chris Bosh, Vince Carter, and of course, Kawhi Leonard. However, the bond that Lowry and DeRozan shared while willing the Raptors to multiple winning seasons is something we may never see again. With all of that said, it makes one wonder which player is more valuable. Is it the elite mid-range game of DeRozan’s or is it the bulldog competitiveness that is inside Lowry? Without further adieu, it’s time to determine the winner of DeMar DeRozan vs. Kyle Lowry.
Battle of Toronto Legends: DeMar DeRozan vs. Kyle Lowry
DeMar DeRozan vs. Kyle Lowry: The Case for DeRozan
DeRozan has always been an elite scorer. Throughout his career, he has tallied 20.0 points on 45.8 percent shooting from the field. During his Toronto tenure, he put up totals of 19.7 points on 44.8 percent shooting. On top of this, DeRozan also was a deceptively effective rebounder despite only being six foot six, which is relatively undersized for a wing in today’s NBA.
During his time with the Raptors, he averaged 4.1 rebounds, including one of his All-Star seasons where he tallied 5.2 rebounds per game. DeRozan is one of the elite mid-range scorers of this league and even had a couple of seasons where he finished in the top 20 for player efficiency rating. However, how does he compare to his former All-Star counterpart who still quarterbacks the Toronto Raptors?
DeMar DeRozan vs. Kyle Lowry: The Case for Lowry
Kyle Lowry used to get a bad wrap for his play in the playoffs until they won the title with Kawhi Leonard. However, do not let those performances fool you. The man is a consistent fixture in the All-Star Game year after year and is willing to accept whatever role the team needs. He can be a scorer or a facilitator for the Toronto offense. Many do not realize it, but it was not until his eighth season when Lowry became a Raptor. He had been an NBA journeyman up until that point. After he settled into Toronto, he was off and running as he has made six All-Star teams, won a ring, and even made the All-NBA Third Team in the 2015-16 season.
Throughout his career, he has averaged 14.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 42.3 percent from the field. Since he has been a Raptor, he has tallied totals of 17.6 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and a field goal percentage of 42.4 percent as of December 29, 2020. Significant increases in many of these categories once Lowry found a true home with the Toronto Raptors. Not to mention, he has finished in the top 20 for steals twice which shows his craftiness as a defender.
The Verdict
In a vacuum, I am going to give the slight edge to Lowry. That is not to say DeRozan is not valuable. Remember, both players are still active, so this verdict could change. As of right now, Lowry has more of an all-around game and also has some NBA Finals experience. Remember the jokes about playoff Lowry? Well, say what you will, but he was extremely instrumental in the Finals series against the Golden State Warriors.
If DeRozan finds himself winning a ring sometime in his career as a key piece of a team, his value could become more appreciated. As of right now though, his game is a little too one-dimensional. His three-point percentage also does not help his case as he possesses a career percentage of 28.3 percent from that territory. That will simply not cut it in today’s league as a small forward. In conclusion, the current floor general of the Raptors is the winner of the DeMar DeRozan vs. Kyle Lowry debate.
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