.png){kind=small}
*Photo via USA Today
Coming into this season, Kyle Lowry wanted to be in better shape so that by the time the playoffs rolled around he would be ready to lead his team on a run. Lowry delivered and came into the season in noticeably better shape, and his play to start the year has proved it.
Lowry is averaging a career high 22 points per game for the 12-9 Toronto Raptors. To go along with his points per game, Lowry is also averaging 6.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. His ability to break down the defense and create for himself or find teammates has translated to success for this Raptors team.
*Photo via USA Today
It is also the little things that don’t show up in the box score that Kyle Lowry does so well. He is the heart and soul of his team and so far this season has always come up for an answer for whatever the defense has thrown at him. Although he had always been known to make the so-called hustle plays, now that Lowry is physically more fit, he is able to make more of those plays and play more valuable minutes.
It is clear that Lowry is taking the reigns of this team along with fellow guard Demar DeRozan in order to try and put his team in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.
With a stronger Eastern Conference than in previous years, Lowry and the Raptors cannot afford to take a night off. So far this season Lowry has posted an efficiency rating of 15.9 and is third in the league in made three pointers, behind only MVP favorites, Stephen Curry and Paul George.
If the beginning of the season is any indication, Kyle Lowry and the Raptors are ready to make a big playoff splash. If Lowry is able to stay healthy and not burn out like he did in the latter part of last season, then both he and the Raptors should be in good company come May. His heart, hustle and pure determination have the potential to take this team to new heights that we can only wish to see in the near future.