In 2011-2012, Kyle Lowry was on the ascension. As a Houston Rocket, Lowry increased his points average by more than 5 points in three years with the Rockets to a then career best 14.3 PPG, but the Rockets wanted draft picks, and the Raptors came calling to sweep up a player who now averages more than 20 points a game, for a team that sits eight games up on the Brooklyn Nets in the Atlantic Division.
Lowry, a 24th overall pick by Memphis in 2006, was rumored to have been traded to the New York Knicks after current G.M Masai Uniri took over and traded Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings. After New York Knicks owner James Dolan nixed a trade, Lowry remained a Raptor under a cloud of uncertainty. It is in Toronto where Lowry became one of the most respected point guards in the league. With potential offers from the Rockets, Heat and Lakers, Lowry decided to resign with Toronto.
The player, who clashed with Kevin McHale and Raptors coach Dwane Casey, has become a star for a team that currently leads the Atlantic Division. Casey is such a fan of Lowry, he argued, “That young man – I’ve been with a lot of great point guards – Jason Kidd in Dallas and Gary Payton in Seattle – and Kyle has a style and an effect on the game like those guys. He is an all-star, and I’ll tell anyone who asks.”
Now, as the Raptors continue to shock the NBA, Lowry is a leader on the team and joins Chris Bosh as the only Raptor to even win a player of the month award.
In a league where the Lakers, Knicks, and star players like LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant get all the press; the Raptors and Lowry are getting attention. In arguing Lowry is one of the best at his position; Yahoo Sports showed he is currently holding careers marks in points, assists, and rebounds as well as being in the top ten of estimated wins added. Those numbers have contributed to the Raptors leading the league offensive efficiency.
For a franchise with ties to the likes of Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and Damon Stoudamire, one writer called Lowry one of the most underrated players in the NBA and suggested, “If you haven’t started paying attention to the team up north and its undersized point guard, now is the time.”
