Underrated Players Series:

Point Guard Kyle Lowry

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

7/31/2020

       The next player to cover in the Underrated Players Series comes from the NBA ranks. This being Toronto Raptors Point Guard Kyle Lowry who is the floor general of the Toronto Raptors. This piece will look to detail the specifics of Lowry’s NBA career to current day. Discussing his career achievements and team’s records, while analyzing key statistics in some of his best seasons as a pro. All this to showcase why Kyle Lowry is still one of the more underappreciated guards among his peers in the league.

            First to present Kyle’s Lowry’s career numbers which display his consistency as a player throughout his career. Hi career averages are solid, averaging 14.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.3 rebounds. He has steadily improved his numbers each season he has been a pro. Averaging at least 13.5 points and 6.4 assists every season since he became a full-time starter in the 2010-2011 season. Spending 6 of his last 7 seasons averaging 16 or more points and almost 7 assists per game. Showing Lowry came from humble beginnings the first half of his career, to become the cagey veteran leader he is now.

            We now pivot to analyzing his best seasons as a professional. Which can be narrowed down to three specific seasons which are his age 29 and 30 seasons. Along with his current age 33 season even despite being halted up until recently due to the pandemic. These three years best depict Lowry at his peak as a player. To start, his age 29 season was during the 2015-2016 campaign for the Toronto Raptors. This season Lowry averaged 21.2 points, 6.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds and a 2.1 steals per game. This season Lowry had his second-best scoring average season, while making a major impact on the defensive end of the flor for a top of the league Toronto defense. Helping contribute to Raptors making it to the Eastern Conference Finals. This season was to this point in his career his best season individually and for the team he played for. His next top season was the following 2016-2017 campaign where he increased his production across the board. Lowry averaged 22.4 points, 7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds this season. Displaying how Lowry improved his game further after his team’s deep playoff run the year before. This season is to date the best scoring season he has ever had. Unfortunately, his team made it only to the second round of the playoffs, but still a strong year. Then you have his most recent season being 2019-2020 where Lowry looks is great form at age 33. With averages of 19.7 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds Lowry looks in great form ready for another Title run. This year has been a great continuation after he helped lead Toronto to its first ever Championship last season. Meaning that the allure of his first taste of being at the top has clearly driven him to lead an attempt at a tile repeat.

            Now with his best seasons having been flushed out we can now display his career achievements properly. As the former 24th overall pick of the Memphis Grizzlies has achieved quite a bit. Going from solid backup, to established starter, to NBA champion. Some of the main accolades Lowry has collected throughout his career include being a 6-time NBA All-Star. Making the All-Star team each of the last six seasons. His statistically best season as a pro back in 2016-2017 earned him All-NBA third team honors. While also winning a bevy of Eastern Conference player of the week and month awards. Along with a couple of similar awards during his time in the Western Conference with Memphis and Houston. Lowry also holds several records in Toronto Raptors history. These being he is their all-time leader in assists and triple doubles. While posting the best three-point shooting season in terms of makes in franchise history. With his ultimate achievement being him helping lead Toronto to their first NBA Title in franchise history last season.  Lowry has clearly made his in mark in Toronto and established himself as an NBA star.

            Overall, Kyle Lowry is an NBA point guard who at times gets lost in the pool of great guards across the sport. His impact on the floor can not be looked at just through numbers but through his intangibles and his team’s performances. As Lowry has gone from a locker room problem in Memphis to strong veteran presence for the Toronto. His teams have not had a losing record since 2012-2013. Showing how he has matured from his early days in Memphis to become a stable cog on an elite NBA powerhouse. Now hopefully through this we all can have more appreciation for a hardworking point guard, that has exceeded what many perceive him to be capable of.