When the Toronto Raptors decided to re-sign DeMar DeRozan to a lucrative five-year, $139-million US contract, fans were split on whether the Compton, Calif., native was worth it.
After a red-hot start, that debate has been put to bed very quickly.
DeRozan hasn't just exceeded expectations — Sports Illustrated ranked him 46th in its list of top 100 NBA players — he's placing himself into the league's elite.
The former USC Trojan is no stranger to the franchise's record books alongside Vince Carter and Chris Bosh.
He just isn't used to being in the NBA record books with the likes of Michael Jordan and Bernard King.
DeMar DeRozan became the 3rd player in the last 35 years with 6 30+ point games in first 7 games of a season. http://pic.twitter.com/7K3RJB5VAv
— @ESPNStatsInfo
So what's been working for the Raptors shooting guard?
These factors may explain DeRozan's elevated play:
Charity stripe
A huge part of DeRozan's game is his ability to drive into the lane and draw contact from opposing defenders. For the past four seasons, the two-time all-star has finished in the NBA's top 10 in free throw attempts.
Last season, DeRozan ranked third with a career-high 8.4 free throw attempts per contest.
Through 11 games this season, DeRozan is getting to the line 10.5 times per game and making a career-high 8.5 free throws, almost 1.5 points more than the year before.
Increased efficiency
Despite putting up big offensive numbers, DeRozan has never been a three-point shooting threat. The shooting guard has never shot higher than 33.8 per cent from long distance, making DeRozan's start even more impressive because of his increased reliance on two-point field goals.
The seven-year NBA veteran recognizes what his strengths are. Rather than improving one of his weaknesses, DeRozan has committed to perfecting the sharpest tool in his arsenal — the mid-range game.
DeMar DeRozan’s shot chart this year. Has NBA-high 33.7 points/gm with 50.3% of his FGAs coming in midrange. Crazy. http://pic.twitter.com/67m6bfOBdR
— @MikeSGallagher
A mid-range jump shot is typically 10-16 feet from the hoop. Through 11 games, DeRozan is attempting more from this distance but is connecting at almost 60 per cent, compared to 41.5 per cent last season.
The same can be said about deep jumpers beyond 16 feet, but just below the three-point arc where the all-star guard is shooting 50 per cent through 11 games this season, almost a 15 per cent increase from the previous year.
Improvement in both areas have led to a 50.6 field-goal percentage overall through 11 games, making DeRozan one of the most efficient scorers in the game.
Pick your poison
DeRozan's efficient mid-range game generates more free-throw attempts because it gives the Raptors guard more opportunities to use his athleticism to drive into the paint for a higher percentage shot.
The former ninth overall pick drives into the paint almost 12 times per game, which ranks him fourth in the NBA. Off those drives, DeRozan nets almost 10 points per contest, trailing only Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Opposing defences can't play too tight on the perimeter against DeRozan because he will just blow by most defenders. At the same time, give the 27-year-old too much space and he'll burn you with his jump shot.
Arsenal of moves
DeRozan is to tough guard because he can score in multiple ways thus preventing defences from keying in on one specific area.
Depending on what the defence presents, DeRozan has an arsenal of moves at his disposal, including the Eurostep and step back jumper.
These moves require excellent footwork and help create space for DeRozan when tightly guarded.
Warriors face the NBA's scoring leader tonight: DeMar DeRozan, 33.2 per game. KD on DeMar: "Best footwork I've seen in a long time" http://pic.twitter.com/XOmGsP0kpu
— @anthonyVslater
DeRozan is thriving in these situations. For shot attempts within 10 feet, DeRozan is making about half his shots when a defender is within two feet, and 56 per cent of shots when defenders are within two to four feet.
For field-goal attempts beyond 10 feet, the Raptors guard is shooting almost 53 per cent when a defender is within two feet, and leads the NBA with almost five shots made per game when a defender is within two to four feet.
Inside DeMar DeRozan's historic start
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