DeMar DeRozan is taking a leap over the ghost of Vince Carter.
DeMar DeRozan has been the hot hand of Toronto. Having the best start of his career and becoming an MVP candidate has him on the road to taking a leap over the ghost of Vince Carter.
If you had to award an all-time Toronto Raptors player an MVP award, regardless if they are active or not, who is the first person to come to mind?
Tracy McGrady, Chris Bosh, perhaps even Kyle Lowry? It’s almost guaranteed most people go back to the glory days of the 2000’s and go with the half man, half amazing, Vince Carter. It’s been a long time since then and few have managed to step up to the plate of his dominance that once was on the Raptors.
Until DeMar DeRozan.
No threes, no recognition?
Nowadays it seems impossible to dominate in a league where 3-point shooting is so emphasized. Without a reliable three-pointer, players are looked as some of the lesser skilled professionals. DeRozan only averages 1 3-pointer in his last 5 games and is looked at as an issue for spacing. It couldn’t be much farther from the truth, and the Raptors success is no secret; DeRozan has elevated his game to another level and is aiming to take the Raptors even further than last year’s playoff run.
Most were lucky enough to witness the player that was Vince Carter make the Raptors into something.
A lot of fans are still so nostalgic of his prime time in Toronto that we’re too distracted to look at the now. The recent dominance DeRozan has had on the Raptors; overlooking it as a lucky start, taking it for granted as it won’t last.
It’s why DeRozan will become the Raptors most underrated MVP of all time.
Taking a look at Carter’s prime days on the Raptors and comparing it to DeRozan’s recent season we can already see that not only is his season very similar, but even better than what we considered the greatest Raptor of all time.
Apr 1, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) guards Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) during the second half at FedExForum. Toronto beat Memphis 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
In what was considered his best season with the Raptors (2000-01), playing almost 40 minutes Carter averaged 27.6 points, 3.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds with a 46% FG and has since then has become recognized as the franchise’s MVP of his respected era. Regardless of not being able to bring the Raptors a championship, Carter finished with the team’s record of 45–37.
By comparison…
DeRozan is having the greatest performance of his career so far. In about 36 minutes, DeRozan is averaging 28.3 points, 4.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds with a 48% FG. He has since had his usage rate increased from last year’s 29.8% to 34.3%. It’s clear DeMar has become the man of the Raptors right now, helping them chase the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 20-8.
“I’m proud of all the work that he put in to be there, being a great vet leader for me, taking me under his wing, talking to me, helping me out. He’s been balling crazy right now. Hopefully, he can keep it going. That’s what we need him to do” Norman Powell stated. “He’s just a great superstar. He’s not cocky about it. He goes to work like he has something to prove and still does. He still wants to bring home a championship to Toronto and you can see that in his game and his hunger to get better.”
It’s worthy of note that although Carter (40%) was a much better 3-point shooter than DeRozan (29%), DeRozan is only attempting around 1 3-pointer in his last 5 games (2-6). Finding his comfort more in his mid-range game and attacking the basket averaging a solid 50% FG and drawing fouls shooting about 85% from the free-throw line.
Even though the 6’7″ guard from Compton, CA has been on fire lately, the only question is if he can make it last throughout the season. With the league revolving more around the 3-point shot, it would seem DeRozan doesn’t fit in. But he has shaped his game similar to that of Kobe Bryant, even being nicknamed “Little Kobe” by his teammates. He’s looking to make a mark in Toronto this season and if he continues on this pace, will perhaps have a greater season than Carter had.
A ring in his future?
In a league where players such as James Harden and Russell Westbrook are close or are averaging triple-doubles, DeRozan’s season will surely be overlooked. Having a greater season than Vince Carter wouldn’t be acknowledged without bringing home a title for Toronto. But DeMar is hungry for a ring and won’t stop getting better until he wins one for the city.
The city of Toronto will never know if Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter could bring home a championship if they stayed together. But at least we’ll know if Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan can finally do the unthinkable.
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