Bryan Colangelo would like to see more out of DeMar DeRozan.
The Toronto Raptors general manager discussed the development of the 22-year-old forward on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Wednesday morning.
“You got to get some level of consistency,” Colangelo told Brady & Lang. “In terms of the effort, that’s the thing that typically drives the consistent performance.”
DeRozan’s play has been erratic early on in the season, as the young forward shot 4-of-16 in Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Washington Wizards. He is averaging only 14.2 points per game and is shooting a career-low 40 per cent from the field.
“You can’t let an inconsistent effort get you off track,” Colangelo said. “It’s one of the things that Dwane (Casey) and the staff are focused on. We got a very young team; you’re going to have inconsistent performances like that. DeMar clearly has the talent — has the skills to play both ends of the floor. When he gets tuned in, he’s going to be very very solid.”
Wednesday: Viewers can watch the Toronto Raptors take on the Sacramento Kings on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, and Pacific at 7 p.m. ET.
The Raptors GM says young players such as DeRozan and Ed Davis will be able to drastically improve their performances once they start showing better habits in practice and in the weight room.
“Bottom line is he’s a young kid, ” Colangelo said of DeRozan. “I’m not saying he doesn’t work hard because he really does put the time in. It’s just about being more efficient and more focused … You look at these young guys — got to learn good work habits, got to learn to be pros. That’s why we brought in Anthony Carter, Jamaal Magloire. They’re a good example of what it takes to be a solid pro.”
Overall, Colangelo is very happy with the progress of his young team and especially the performance of Andrea Bargnani and new head coach Casey.
“Dwane has done an outstanding job, he’s even gotten Andrea playing defence this year,” Colangelo said. “The staff have done an outstanding job. Effort is there every single practice and you’re going to have nights like last night where things don’t go right against a desperate team.”
The Raptors’ results have been erratic in their first 10 games this season with ugly losses in Philadelphia and Washington. Colangelo re-iterated the team is more concerned with their long-term goals and will not get sidetracked by their shortcomings in the day-to-day grind.
“It’s not about winning games every single night,” Colangelo said. “It’s about taking steps forward. I know it’s a fine line to dance on. I would never tell the coach to lay down to make sure that our draft pick is right. We’re going to do the best thing possible to advance this basketball team.
“One of the things that’s so important is developing these players and letting them take those steps forward so we can build and grow towards the future where we really put the hammer down on the final steps of the plan,” Colangelo said.
The Raptors currently sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference heading into Wednesday’s game against the Kings.
