There is plenty to smile about for star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors (45-17) this season while currently atop the Eastern Conference standings. After Sunday 103-98 home victory over the Charlotte Hornets, when DeRozan was asked by Raptors beat reporter Josh Lewenberg on what Toronto's confidence level was going forward, he and Lewenberg had a priceless back-and-forth conversation.
“We could go out there and start you and be successful,” DeRozan told the reporter.
After Lewenberg stated that probably would not be a very good idea, DeRozan agreed with him to a certain degree.
“No, it wouldn't be but we could make it work,” DeRozan said.
Later in the interview, Lewenberg's name came back up again as Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun got in on the fun with DeRozan.
“Whoever's out there we're playing for something bigger,” DeRozan said.
“Even J-Lew?” Ganter asked DeRozan.
“Yeah. Yeah. We'll put him in there, I'm telling you, he'd get a couple open shots,” DeRozan said.
Just in case Raptors team president Masai Ujiri was listening, Lewenberg tweeted out a hilarious inquiry about Toronto's current open roster spot.
“In case the Raps are interested in testing this theory… they do have a roster spot open and I am available for a 10-day,” Lewenberg joked. “Hit me up, Masai.”
Who knows, maybe the Raptors could at least give Lewenberg some minutes in head coach Dwane Casey's lineup on Tuesday night when Toronto hosts the lowly Atlanta Hawks (20-44) at Air Canada Centre. As DeRozan said, the team would probably manage to get J-Lew some open looks at the basket.