When DeMar DeRozan was drafted by the Toronto Raptors out of USC with the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, he was joining a team that had won just 33 games the year before. After winning 22 games in his only season with the Trojans, joining a losing franchise was an adjustment in itself.In the seven years since, DeRozan has seen franchise players Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani leave, passing the torch onto No. 10. DeRozan has felt the pressure of an entire city, and in fact an entire country, that had not won a playoff series since 2001.
After losing a heartbreaking Game 7 at home in 2014 to the Brooklyn Nets and an embarrassing sweep to the Washington Wizards last year, 2016 was more or less "now or never" for Toronto and DeRozan.
Following an impressive franchise-record 56 wins, and a back-and-forth battle with Paul George and the Indiana Pacers, DeRozan finally helped gift the city of Toronto a playoff series victory. On Sunday, the Raptors clinched the series with an 89-84 win at home, much in thanks to the USC alum's game-high 30 points.
DeRozan played a game-high 40 minutes for Toronto and was all over the box score with five rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks. With the Miami Heat up next for DeRozan and "the 6," a lot more responsibility will fall on his shoulders as Toronto chases their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2001.
