Toronto Raptors

As former first-round draft picks, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry’s talent levels were never in doubt - they just needed to find each other in order to learn how to lead and win. Prior to becoming teammates with the Toronto Raptors in 2012, the pair had just one postseason appearance between them. They missed the playoffs that first season but never again for five consecutive years, picking up four division titles and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance along the way. Lowry’s bruising hustle and ability to slice through any defense, combined with the pure scoring ability of DeRozan, set the standard for excellence. In their final season together in 2017-18, the backcourt mates each erupt for 30 or more points against the Charlotte Hornets, who Lowry and DeRozan continuously punish with their versatile inside-outside skills. Combining for 66 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists on November 29, 2017, the explosive duo was well on its way to its fourth All-Star Game as teammates. · Nov 29, 2017