Toronto Raptors: The biggest surprises so far in 2019-20

Kyle Lowry is as good as he’s ever been

One thing that was certain when Kawhi Leonard left Toronto was Kyle Lowry was going to have to score more than he did during Leonard’s one-year stopover in Canada. So far this season, the point guard is attempting ~three more field goal attempts per game than a year ago and averaging close to 20 points a night (up from 14 PPG in 2018-19).

It’s crazy to think this, but Lowry’s name has been tossed around in trade rumours for quite a while, the loudest murmurings coming a couple of summers ago when his good friend DeMar DeRozan was traded to San Antonio, for you know who.

Lowry and Toronto, eventually, would agree on a one-year extension that provided the ageing guard with some financial security ahead of what many felt would be a down year for Toronto, coming off a title win. But…that’s not quite what happened.

Lowry has been remarkable in 2019-20, and it’s been his play that has fuelled Toronto’s unpredictable success this season. Not the tallest, quickest or most talented, but Kyle Lowry is among the toughest players in the league today. Few players possess the competitive spirit that Lowry puts on display every night. His work ethic is contagious – when your best player also happens to be your hardest worker, good things tend to happen and we’re seeing it play out with the Raptors and Lowry.

The surprising part of Lowry’s season has been his ability to play heavy minutes, and do so at such a high level. People keep expecting him to slow down, after all, all those charges have to be taking their toll on Lowry’s body, no? But it doesn’t seem to matter what you throw at No. 7, he rises above it and delivers the goods every time. If Raptor fans were still debating who the franchise’s greatest player was before the season, they can effectively stop now.

We’ve got our answer, and it’s Kyle freakin’ Lowry.

(Be sure to check out Lowry’s appearance on Vince Carter’s Wingin’ it podcast)