Raptors Pitched DeMar DeRozan On Shooting More Three-Pointers

[RealGM Wiretap]

Bobby Webster and the Toronto Raptors three highest ranked coaches were called into the office of Masai Ujiri on December 19th before summoning in DeMar DeRozan.

"I didn't know what the hell was going on," DeRozan recalls. "I thought, 'S---, I know I can't be traded.' It was like I was being called into the principal's office.'"

The Raptors had reinvented their offense but they needed something more from DeRozan.

Ujiri told DeRozan they wanted him to become Toronto's Kobe Bryant as a lifetime player who defines a franchise, but they needed him to shoot more three-pointers.

If DeRozan began to shoot more three-pointers, he would take less contact, create more space and possessions would flow more naturally.

"When everyone has that kind of confidence in you -- that you can carry a franchise -- it gives you that extra confidence," DeRozan said. "For them to say I could be in [Kobe's] position -- it was an honor accepting that fully."

DeRozan has since averaged more almost four three-point attempts per game.

"Is [the new offense] gonna translate into the playoffs?" Casey asks. "We're gonna find out."

The league is respectful, yet skeptical. "We take that disrespect," DeRozan says, "and carry it into games."

Via Zach Lowe/ESPN

[GeorgeMarcus]

Good move by the FO. They know how to get the most out of their players in Toronto.

[BasketballJunky]

My honest opinion is the Raptors, Casey, Derozan should’ve self discovered and made the necessary tweaks years ago.

The results have been amazing so far this year. The buyout market was unkind I thought joe Johnson, bellinelli, Brewer , even ilyasova would’ve helped the rotation. It’s a good reminder though that we have to develop from within. Raptors will likely pick up their 50th win tonight against Brooklyn in just 67 games. Sky is the Limit!

[Reeko]

My honest opinion is the Raptors, Casey, Derozan should’ve self discovered and made the necessary tweaks years ago.

The results have been amazing so far this year. The buyout market was unkind I thought joe Johnson, bellinelli, Brewer , even ilyasova would’ve helped the rotation. It’s a good reminder though that we have to develop from within. Raptors will likely pick up their 50th win tonight against Brooklyn in just 67 games. Sky is the Limit!

The Raptors have the best bench in the NBA. There was no need for them to pick up a player in the buyout market.

[macNcheese3]

Love what DD is doing. He has a great work ethic

[F N 11]

My honest opinion is the Raptors, Casey, Derozan should’ve self discovered and made the necessary tweaks years ago.

The results have been amazing so far this year. The buyout market was unkind I thought joe Johnson, bellinelli, Brewer , even ilyasova would’ve helped the rotation. It’s a good reminder though that we have to develop from within. Raptors will likely pick up their 50th win tonight against Brooklyn in just 67 games. Sky is the Limit!

The Raptors have a sick bench that plays together made up of guys looking to make a name for themselves.

[RaptorPride]

My honest opinion is the Raptors, Casey, Derozan should’ve self discovered and made the necessary tweaks years ago.

The results have been amazing so far this year. The buyout market was unkind I thought joe Johnson, bellinelli, Brewer , even ilyasova would’ve helped the rotation. It’s a good reminder though that we have to develop from within. Raptors will likely pick up their 50th win tonight against Brooklyn in just 67 games. Sky is the Limit!

None of those players would have got minutes here

[luss54321]

What a ridiculous argument.

DeRozan is shooting 31% from 3PT... including 28% in February and 28% so far in March.

There's no metric that will EVER say a player shooting 30% from 3 needs to shoot more deep balls. Toronto is obviously a much improved team this year, but I can guarantee you it's not due to DeRozan's poor 3PT shooting.

[CoachD]

What a ridiculous argument.

DeRozan is shooting 31% from 3PT... including 28% in February and 28% so far in March.

There's no metric that will EVER say a player shooting 30% from 3 needs to shoot more deep balls. Toronto is obviously a much improved team this year, but I can guarantee you it's not due to DeRozan's poor 3PT shooting.

If you check, I believe his corner 3 is much higher.

Also, the difference is, in the playoffs in years past, teams would go under ball screens on Demar EVERY SINGLE TIME and Demar would either dribble into a double or pass out. Now, when teams go under, he's sticking that shot. I believe his 3pt% on ball screens is over 34% and that's enough to keep teams honest.

[KnightofHyrule]

What a ridiculous argument.

DeRozan is shooting 31% from 3PT... including 28% in February and 28% so far in March.

There's no metric that will EVER say a player shooting 30% from 3 needs to shoot more deep balls. Toronto is obviously a much improved team this year, but I can guarantee you it's not due to DeRozan's poor 3PT shooting.

31 makes per 100 3pt shots (31% from 3-pt range)
93 Points

45 makes per 100 midrange shots (45% from midrange)
90 points

Not only that, but it spaces the floor as well for the other players to penetrate. In other words, DeRozan shooting 3s helps improve the Raptors. It is not one of the main reasons, but it certainly doesn't hinder them.

[hyberx]

Somebody is seriously clueless if they still do not understand the importance of 3pters in the modern NBA. There is a good reason that all the top teams are good at 3pters. It also affects the whole spacing and stretch the defense, changing the whole scheme.

[Dennis 37]

Somebody is seriously clueless if they still do not understand the importance of 3pters in the modern NBA. There is a good reason that all the top teams are good at 3pters. It also affects the whole spacing and stretch the defense, changing the whole scheme.

His mindset was that the is an elite mid range shooter, which he is.

[luss54321]

What a ridiculous argument.

DeRozan is shooting 31% from 3PT... including 28% in February and 28% so far in March.

There's no metric that will EVER say a player shooting 30% from 3 needs to shoot more deep balls. Toronto is obviously a much improved team this year, but I can guarantee you it's not due to DeRozan's poor 3PT shooting.

31 makes per 100 3pt shots (31% from 3-pt range)
93 Points

45 makes per 100 midrange shots (45% from midrange)
90 points

Not only that, but it spaces the floor as well for the other players to penetrate. In other words, DeRozan shooting 3s helps improve the Raptors. It is not one of the main reasons, but it certainly doesn't hinder them.

Well to be honest he's really not a good mid range shooter either. DeRozan is great around the basket and great at drawing fouls, but his shooting numbers across the board are below average. I don't understand how a player missing 3 pointers improves a team's spacing. There's no reason to defend DeRozan beyond the arc. Any smart team would go below the screen and let him take the 3.

[KnightofHyrule]

What a ridiculous argument.

DeRozan is shooting 31% from 3PT... including 28% in February and 28% so far in March.

There's no metric that will EVER say a player shooting 30% from 3 needs to shoot more deep balls. Toronto is obviously a much improved team this year, but I can guarantee you it's not due to DeRozan's poor 3PT shooting.

31 makes per 100 3pt shots (31% from 3-pt range)
93 Points

45 makes per 100 midrange shots (45% from midrange)
90 points

Not only that, but it spaces the floor as well for the other players to penetrate. In other words, DeRozan shooting 3s helps improve the Raptors. It is not one of the main reasons, but it certainly doesn't hinder them.

Well to be honest he's really not a good mid range shooter either. DeRozan is great around the basket and great at drawing fouls, but his shooting numbers across the board are below average. I don't understand how a player missing 3 pointers improves a team's spacing. There's no reason to defend DeRozan beyond the arc. Any smart team would go below the screen and let him take the 3.

And then he drops five straight 3 pointers in your face.

The reason he's at 31% is because players actually defend him at the perimeter. If not, he's just gonna get comfortable and drain them like its practice. There's video of him swishing like five no look 3-pointers in a row. There are a few games when he was even hitting contested 3's like it was nothing. You still go under screens, but you can't just wait there. You have to make him feel you. It's not like Giannis, who hits 30% because he's uncontested. DeRozan would hit over 50% if he was uncontested.

Look at Jonas Valanciunas. He's shooting 44% from 3. A couple months ago that was closer to 50% because dudes let him take the 3. At that point, does it even make sense to leave him open? A wide open JV is better than a defensed Steph Curry. Now you actually have some dudes closing out on JV lol. JV's smart though and doesn't shoot it.

This is how the game has evolved. If you can shoot just 30% from 3 you are actually benefiting your team over taking midrange shots. So just eliminate the midrange. Dunks, Layups and 3-pointers. Only shoot midrange when you are completely open.

[Boogie!]

This is the best thing I've read.

[DCRYsing89]

31 makes per 100 3pt shots (31% from 3-pt range)
93 Points

45 makes per 100 midrange shots (45% from midrange)
90 points

Not only that, but it spaces the floor as well for the other players to penetrate. In other words, DeRozan shooting 3s helps improve the Raptors. It is not one of the main reasons, but it certainly doesn't hinder them.

Well to be honest he's really not a good mid range shooter either. DeRozan is great around the basket and great at drawing fouls, but his shooting numbers across the board are below average. I don't understand how a player missing 3 pointers improves a team's spacing. There's no reason to defend DeRozan beyond the arc. Any smart team would go below the screen and let him take the 3.

And then he drops five straight 3 pointers in your face.

The reason he's at 31% is because players actually defend him at the perimeter. If not, he's just gonna get comfortable and drain them like its practice. There's video of him swishing like five no look 3-pointers in a row. There are a few games when he was even hitting contested 3's like it was nothing. You still go under screens, but you can't just wait there. You have to make him feel you. It's not like Giannis, who hits 30% because he's uncontested. DeRozan would hit over 50% if he was uncontested.

Look at Jonas Valanciunas. He's shooting 44% from 3. A couple months ago that was closer to 50% because dudes let him take the 3. At that point, does it even make sense to leave him open? A wide open JV is better than a defensed Steph Curry. Now you actually have some dudes closing out on JV lol. JV's smart though and doesn't shoot it.

This is how the game has evolved. If you can shoot just 30% from 3 you are actually benefiting your team over taking midrange shots. So just eliminate the midrange. Dunks, Layups and 3-pointers. Only shoot midrange when you are completely open.

Its pretty obvious in any competitivve bball setting that the 3ball is important.
My club team there is like 2 of us who shoot around 30%...
The teams we verse will legit double the ball 90% of the time, thus stopping our offence entirely.
DeRozan is a important peice in their offence so he has to buy into the system.