Name: Kyle Lowry
Rank: 28
Team: Toronto Raptors
2016-17 Regular Season Traditional Stats: 22.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 46.4 FG%, 41.2 3PT%, 81.9 FT%
2016-17 Regular Season Advanced Stats: 22.9 PER, 62.3 TS%, 10.1 WS, 7.1 OBPM, -0.5 DBPM, 4.9 VORP
The Breakdown
Kyle Lowry is probably one of the most underrated players in the league based on how NBA fans see the All-Star PG. In terms of skill on the basketball court, there isn’t much that Lowry can’t do. He can score as proven by his 22.6 PPG average on an efficient 46.4 FG%. Kyle Lowry can also dish the ball out, averaging around 7 assists a game in the 2016-2017 campaign. For his stature at the PG position, he is also a solid rebounder, as he averaged nearly 5 rebounds a game. He’ll get it done on the defensive end as well for the Raptors.
Video via: Toronto DeRozan
Kyle Lowry can do so much on the basketball floor, so what seems to be the reason why many people underrate him? Playoff performance. It has been an ongoing theme for the past couple of playoff runs for the Raptors, their star PG struggling in big moments during the playoff. Lowry would have a string of solid performances in the playoffs but is inconsistent, seemingly having trouble keeping a consistent level of play come playoff time. In the Raptors’ most recent playoff run, Lowry averaged 15.8 points per game and 5.9 assists per game; averages below his regular season stats.
The talent is there for the Villanova product, it’s consistency that will determine how he is seen in the league. As of now, he is definitely All-Star caliber, but would strong playoff performances down the road fix that for the better? No doubt about it.
