On December 18, 2009, DeMar DeRozan showed how much more he brought than just vertical bounce. With Hedo Türkoğlu backing down on the block, the rookie curled behind the defense, timed his cut perfectly, and caught a looping pass in stride before rising up for a powerful one-handed slam. It was a smart read, made without the ball, and DeRozan made it look effortless. The Raptors took the win over New Jersey, and DeRozan added another layer to his growing offensive game. In a season built on learning, this play showed his instincts were already taking shape. Over time, he’d become a multi-time All-Star and elite scorer, but even as a rookie, his movement and finishing told a story that went well beyond just hops. · Dec 19, 2009