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Which Toronto Raptors’ would benefit the most from an extended rest?

By Thomas Valentine

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 22: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #4, Terence Davis II #0, Chris Boucher #25, Malcolm Miller #13 and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors prepare for play to begin during the second half of an NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at Scotiabank Arena on December 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 22: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson #4, Terence Davis II #0, Chris Boucher #25, Malcolm Miller #13 and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors prepare for play to begin during the second half of an NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at Scotiabank Arena on December 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Kyle Lowry

The man, the myth, the legend. Kyle Lowry is the heart and soul of the Toronto Raptors and the catalyst to their success over the last few years. With Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green out the door, Lowry’s role with the team was only set to increase this season.

As a result, he’s having one of the most outstanding seasons of his career, even at the age of 33. Lowry is averaging 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, shooting 42-percent from the field and 35-percent from three. If we’re being honest, he’s been the Raptors’ best player this season. That doesn’t come as a shock, though. Lowry is just that good.

Per the norm, he’s going beyond just the basic box-score numbers to solidify his impact on the team, too. In PIPM, he’s in the top-30 players with a mark of +2.83, and in ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus, Lowry sits in the top 11 players in the NBA with an RPM score of +3.07. Neither statistical measurement is perfect, but when the likes of LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo hang around the top of both, you can believe its value.

He’s also the top of the league in charges drawn, and you can imagine that starts to have an impact on your body – even if Lowry doesn’t show it. And, just to put the final piece of the puzzle together, Lowry is third in the NBA in minutes per game, behind only Damian Lillard and James Harden. Every player in the top-10 is noticeably younger than him, but Lowry still grinds it out on a nightly basis.

To put it all into context, Lowry has given his all for the Raptors this season, and routinely plays more minutes than just about everyone else in the league. There were no signs of him burning out in the near future, but a break can’t hurt him all that much.

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