Raptors’ Lowry gets all-star reward
NBA: Guard picked along with teammate DeRozan despite reduced minutes ahead of playoff time
ATLANTA — Kyle Lowry is doing more with less this NBA season and credit the Eastern Conference coaches with realizing that and making him an all-star for a fourth time.
Lowry joins fellow four-time all-star and teammate DeMar DeRozan in Los Angeles for the all-star game in a year in which some of his more obvious numbers have taken a small hit.
Lowry is no longer a 37-minutes-a-night guy but that’s not his choice. He’s not this season, to this point, a 20-points-a-game guy either.
The Raptors have cut his minutes this season by 41/2 in hopes of having a fresher and healthier Lowry come playoff time.
Lowry knew coming into the season this approach might cost him in the individual accolades department but it was something he was on-board with.
“That’s for the betterment of the team, the betterment of the organization, the betterment of what we were trying to do because we’re trying to make everyone and everything around us better,” Lowry said, moments after the NBA announced the reserves. “Of course I thought I might not be an all-star but winning helps, winning cures all. My teammates are still giving me the opportunity to be me and my coaches are still giving me a chance to be me so I’m just happy.”
The fewer minutes Lowry is playing have translated to fewer shots and fewer points, but what hasn’t changed is Lowry’s impact on the game. The Eastern Conference coaches, who rounded out the team with seven selections on Tuesday, recognized that with his selection over some higher scoring alternatives.
“All of my teammates are as big a part of this as me. Without them — me and DeMar would not be here.”
Lowry is still averaging 17 points a game, down from the 221/2 he averaged a year ago while taking about three fewer shots per game. His assist totals are down by a small margin but his rebounding numbers have actually increased.
The fact that Lowry sits tied atop the NBA in charges drawn with 23 to date this season with New Orleans monster DeMarcus Cousins is another huge attraction.
Take into account the aggressive attacks on the basket offensively that open up opportunities for his teammates, the dogged defence he plays and his willingness to give up his body to get a turnover or get down on the floor for a loose ball — and you have the kind of player any coach would get behind. Dwane Casey is no exception. That was obvious when Lowry interrupted his own news scrum to acknowledge his head coach who happened to be walking back into the hotel from dinner at that moment.
“Kyle is such a competitor, he’s probably one of the most competitive guys in our league right now when it comes to loose balls, taking charges, all the winning plays you have to have,” Casey said.
“That’s what he brings, sets the tone for us from that standpoint.”