DeMar Derozan, from the Toronto Raptors, was named to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star Game. DeMar has been an exceptional player and leader of the Raptors but his selection meant that his teammate Kyle Lowry got snubbed. Players like Joe Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets and John Wall of the Washington Wizards were chosen instead of Kyle Lowry. It is a travesty that the Eastern Conference coaches overlooked a top five guard in the East and gave his spot to someone that is less deserving.
Kyle Lowry, the starting point guard (PG) for the Atlantic Division leading Toronto Raptors, should be playing in the All-Star Game on February 16 in New Orleans. Yes, the same Lowry who averaged a mere 11 points, 6 assists on 40 per cent shooting last year. Or the same Lowry who was almost traded two months ago to the New York Knicks for Tim Hardaway Jr. (rookie) and a 2018 first round pick. Also the same Lowry who only started 52 games last year while court-sharing with a fan favourite Jose Calderon (pour one out for him). When he was acquired from the Houston Rockets by Bryan Colangelo last year (pour one out for him), his potential did not match his output. He was the little engine that could but never did. This year, Kyle Lowry should be an All Star.
This season, Lowry is averaging 17 points, 8 assists on 44 per cent shooting. But that is barely scratching the surface on what Lowry has done. Advanced Statistics confirm what the eye test reveals: Lowry is playing at a top five point guard (PG) in the Eastern Conference Level. Kyle Lowry ranks #1 (not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6 …) in Player Efficiency Rating (PER) among PGs in the East. Ahead of Kyrie Irving, Deron Williams and John Wall, players generally regarded as the “top PGs in the East.” He also ranks #1 in True Shooting Percentage (TSP) among PGs in the East and #4 in the entire NBA. His TSP is higher than that of Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard and Tony Parker. Lethal and efficient is the best way to describe Lowry this season. The last advanced statistic that really brings the point home is the Estimated Winnings Added (EWA). EWA provides the estimated number of wins a player added to a team’s season total above what a “replacement player” would produce. Kyle Lowry ranks #4 among PGs in the entire NBA in EWA. Again, he is ahead of Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook and Jose Calderon. Did I mention that Kyrie Irving was chosen to be the starting PG of the Eastern All Star Team? Lowry doesn’t only have him beat in the advanced statistics but also averages more assists, more steals, and fewer turnovers than Irving.
Before accusing me of being a homer for the Raptors PG, let me clarify that I was ready to take Hardaway Jr for Lowry straight up. Lowry has won me over with his exceptional play over the last month. Lowry’s play over the last month and a half has been nothing short of spectacular. Since December 20, he has averaged 19 points, 8 assists, and just 2 turnovers per game. He is shooting 45 per cent from beyond the arc and 45 per cent overall from the field. This includes outburst of 30 or more points against Orlando, Brooklyn and the New York Knicks. He has dished out 11 assists or more, 8 times over the last month.
At the beginning of the season, Lowry was thought to be a good asset to bring in young talent/draft picks but his play over the course of the year has been that of a mature leader. Yes, his trade value is at an all-time high right now, but why mess with a good thing? Toronto has a good group of guys who love playing for each other and the coach. Lowry is leading the team by example, putting in the effort required to get the W, no matter what; the game winning shot by Patrick Patterson against Brooklyn on January 27 – assisted by Kyle Lowry. After DeMar Derozan left the team due to injuries, Lowry has put the team on his back and delivered games where he is scoring more than 30 points and averaging 9 assists.
He’s turned into the little engine that did.
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