Since Raptors winning last night, I've been thinking about how DeMar DeRozan must be feeling right now. This has got to be a gut punch for him. Do you think this hurts his confidence and his value? Do you think he may feel that he was the one holding Raptors back? I'm obviously not comparing him to Kawhi Leonard, nor do I believe that DeMar thinks he is on the same level.
I mean, he has to know he’s nowhere near Kawhi’s level...they traded him for a much better player if he was still there instead of Kawhi, they probably need 6 games to beat Orlando and then lose to Philly
He has several good years left but they traded that a way for this one chance knowing Leonard will be gone.
DeRozan has had a fight with depression for a while. I hope he has dealt with it and moved along. Could be feeling sad right now about not doing it for Toronto.
Meh, still not nearly as dominant as Kawhi even with a 3-point shot. DeRozan has an impressive mid-range game, but Kawhi is just head and shoulder above in every single aspect. To answer the OP's questions, DeRozan wasn't holding Toronto back, but Kawhi can elevate a team like no other player in the league.
Raptor Legend DeMar DeRozan should be proud. He was the asset that landed them Kawhi. If he had not performed as well as he did as a Raptor, the team might not have landed Kawhi in a trade. He helped build this team, even if he is no longer around to see it.
In the last 20 years of playoff basketball, Demarr has the 3rd worst RAPM of all players. That is well over 1000 players, he is down there with all the scrubs who played 2 minutes. He is worse than Lin in the playoffs!! The guy was no doubt holding them back. Long 2s doesn't work.
