Toronto Raptors Two-Man Game: Depressing January
By Demar Grant
![Jan 31, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports Jan 31, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/bbba7a4ec56f53576188a7eccaedc162038c0618e29e4a4a50d4a82781429dd9.jpg)
Are you concerned about Kyle Lowry’s minutes? He’s averaging the highest in the league at the moment.
Demar: Lowry’s excessive minutes weigh on me like a ton of bricks, but they’re impossible to avoid at the moment. Lowry is the foundation of the entire team and as the rest of the squad continues to fluctuate due to injuries and inconsistent play, he garners the lion’s share of work.
The Raptors are caught in a catch-22 now, reduce his minutes and possibly lose more games, hurting the team long-term in regards to seeding, or play him more and risk burnout in order to maintain a higher seeding, so the team plays easier opponents in the postseason.
Chris: How could you not be concerned about his minutes? I know he describes himself as Wolverine and is pretty much the Raptors’ iron man, but I’d hate to see him burn out during the postseason.
Between last year’s playoff run, the Rio Olympics with Team USA, and his heavy usage this season, Lowry has played A TON of basketball. He has to rest at some point, right?