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Raptors' DeRozan: We still don't get the respect we deserve

Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Toronto Raptors are among the best teams in the NBA, but they're not treated like it.

The clear No. 2 team in the East apparently weren't good enough to play on Christmas Day. In fact, the NBA's lone Canadian franchise was afforded only six nationally televised games all year (17th).

DeMar DeRozan thinks it's absurd how little love Toronto gets, especially given what the club accomplished last year.

"We went six games with the NBA champions. We won a franchise record in games. We accomplished so much. And it seems we still don't get our just due, like it was an accident," the All-Star shooting guard recently told David Aldridge of NBA.com.

"We've been getting better every single year. And I think that's been our motivation every time we go out there and play, no matter who we play against. We are a team that should be respected like all the other top teams in the league."

The Raptors are proving so far this season that their 56-win campaign last year wasn't a fluke. At 22-8, they're currently on pace for an even higher win total, and boast the highest offensive rating not only in the league right now, but of all time.

Related: What's behind the greatest offense of all time?

It's worth noting, though, that three of their eight losses came at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who ousted them in the Eastern Conference finals en route to winning their first title. Those contests were close, as DeRozan pointed out, having each been decided by four points or less. He said the Cavs are great because they're able to execute down the stretch, and that's the next step for his Raps.

"That's our next development of being a team like Cleveland, understanding that last possession, how great you've got to execute, how bad you may need a stop. We're getting there," DeRozan said.

On an individual level, the 27-year-old is having his best season yet after winning an Olympic gold medal in Rio over the summer. He's averaging 27.5 points, 5.3 boards, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals - all career highs. He's also 15 points away from passing Chris Bosh as Toronto's all-time scoring leader.

"I don't believe it," DeRozan said. "A lot of things I've accomplished in this organization has been unbelievable. To be that one on top, and from here on, people are going to be trying to chase that spot. ... I played with Chris. To be able to pass him, it's definitely a blessing. Just to have your name ahead of a franchise, leading a franchise in something, it's unbelievable, man."

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