DeMar DeRozan Is Balling Out Like MJ

Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan went off again. His latest performance, adding to his insane start to the season, has the Raptors' all-star in some rather elite company.

Going head-to-head with a newly motivated Russell Westbrook on his home court Wednesday night, DeRozan stepped up when the lights were bright like he has in every game so far this season. Putting up 36 points and six assists while grabbing four rebounds, the 27-year-old was a savage as he powered the Raps to a 112-102 road win in Oklahoma City—one of the loudest and toughest places to play in the Association.

With that, DeRozan is the first player since Michael Jordan in the 1989-90 season to average 34 points per game through his team's first seven contests, according to Sportsnet. Aside from starring in Space Jam and those Hanes briefs commercials, MJ had a pretty decent basketball career, too.

DeMar DeRozan became the 3rd player in the last 35 years with 6 30+ point games in first 7 games of a season. — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo)November 10, 2016

Yep, DeMar, so far, is putting up MJ numbers.

DeRozan further entrenched himself as the face of the franchise after inking a five-year, $139 million deal this offseason, while enduring himself to the Toronto faithful by becoming the first home-grown star product to stick around and sign an extension in the city since Vince Carter. The Compton native is visibly at ease on the court after putting the weight and distraction of contract negotiations behind him—averaging 34.1 points per game while shooting 53.3 percent from the field, and 81.4 percent from the line. His points per game and field goal percentage are easily career-high marks, while his 37.4 minutes rank among the top ten. Teammate Kyle Lowry is averaging an NBA-high 38.9 minutes per game.

DeRozan's visibly more confident than ever before and has developed and matured into his game while embracing his lack of outside shooting. He's been among the game's best players this season—in addition to leading the league in scoring, DeRozan's 31.0 player efficiency rating is fifth in the NBA (behind a group of superstars) for the 5-2 Raptors. His mid-range jumper and pull-up game have been dominant. He wants the ball in his hands, and so do his teammates.

DeMar DeRozan is leading the league in scoring (34.1 PPG) thanks to a complete domination of the midrange game. — StatMuse (@statmuse)November 10, 2016

With that increased confidence comes increased versatility. His shooting from midrange has been his bread and butter to say the least, shooting nearly 56 percent from 10-23 feet out, but when the shot isn't there, the tenacity has been. DeRozan hasn't been afraid to take it to the basket, as his ten free throw attempts per game rank fifth in the league.

DeRozan surely won't keep up this MJ pace, but he appears poised for a career year. Guess that Sports Illustrated rating is fueling him.