3 defining moments in Kyle Lowry's career
Kyle Lowry has emerged as one of the NBA's top point guards in recent years. Along with Toronto Raptors teammate DeMar DeRozan, the two comprise a backcourt tandem that arguably ranks in the top three of the entire league.
From his injury-riddled rookie year with the Memphis Grizzlies to his All-Star output with the Raptors, here are three specific moments that have defined Lowry's career:
Cracking the Rockets' starting five
Lowry's first few years in Memphis showed glimpses of what the portly point guard out of Villanova would eventually do, but it wasn't until his third season with the Houston Rockets that Lowry truly shined.
On Nov. 14, 2010, Lowry was thrust into Houston's starting lineup ahead of Aaron Brooks and Ish Smith for the team's game against the New York Knicks. He ended the game with seven points, seven rebounds, and six assists, and would go on to start in each of the Rockets' games the rest of that season while forming a strong bond with then-coach Rick Adelman in the process. Lowry averaged 13.9 points, 6.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals as a starter in 2010-11, significantly raising his stock around the league.
Receiving the keys in Toronto
He was Toronto's "Plan B" after the team missed out on signing Canadian basketball legend Steve Nash, but rest assured the Raptors have no qualms about having to "settle" for Lowry in 2012.
The Raptors shipped swingman Gary Forbes and a future first-round pick (that turned into Steven Adams) to Houston for the pitbull-like guard, and he made an instant impact north of the border. In his first three games, Lowry averaged 23.7 points, seven assists, and 5.7 rebounds, endearing himself to the Toronto fans.
That first year in Toronto wasn't always sunny for the Philadelphia native, though, as back spasms, shoulder injuries, and ankle sprains had him splitting the starting point guard job with Jose Calderon. Nonetheless, Toronto was convinced it had found its floor general for the future.
The trade that never was
If it wasn't for Knicks owner James Dolan's fear of repeatedly being fleeced by Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri, Lowry would likely be donning New York blue today. A deal that looked to involve Raymond Felton, Metta World Peace, and a future first-round pick heading to Toronto for the point guard was in place, and Lowry seemed to already have one foot inside Madison Square Garden.
However, Dolan did not enjoy the perception that he had twice been swindled by Ujiri in the past: First in the Carmelo Anthony trade when Ujiri managed the Denver Nuggets, and then when he dealt for Toronto's former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani. The Knicks owner hesitated on pulling the trigger once the Lowry talks leaked.
In the end, Dolan vetoed the proposed trade, and Lowry went on an immediate tear for the Raptors, including a back-to-back run against New York just two weeks later where he had a combined 47 points, 22 assists, and 12 rebounds.