Toronto Raptors: The Kyle Lowry Story (The Disruptor)

4 of 6

Toronto Raptors, Kyle Lowry (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)) /

Consecutive first-round exits with Toronto Raptors

It is hard to mention Kyle Lowry’s success without bringing up DeMar DeRozan. Together they would pave the way for the Raptors’ success in the 2010s, not to mention their bromance was the best in NBA history.

Though Lowry’s first season with the Toronto Raptors was one to forget, it wouldn’t take long for him to have his breakthrough season. In his second season, he would break career-highs across the board: points, assists, three-point percentage… His success also aided DeRozan’s development as he got his first All-Star nod that year (2013-2014).

Lowry would lead the Raptors back into the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, but it wouldn’t last long. In Game 7, with the Nets leading by one, the Raptors had the final possession of the game. Kyle Lowry had his shot blocked by Paul Pierce in what was the final shot of the series. That left Lowry devastated and on the floor where he’d get helped back up by no one other than DeRozan.

It’d be the first of many heartbreaking eliminations with the Raptors.

The next season didn’t see Kyle Lowry back down. He’d put up similar numbers and get his first All-Star selection at the age of 28. They finished first in their division for a second straight year but their regular-season showing was not parallel to their playoff showing. They got swept by the Washington Wizards and Lowry had his worst playoff performance to this day.

In the four games against the Wizards, Lowry had a field goal percentage of 31.6 % and shot the three at 21.7%. It was an all-time choke performance from Lowry, and something had to change.