DeMar DeRozan injury first real case of basketball adversity for Raptors

Down goes DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors' leading scorer is out indefinitely with a torn groin tendon, meaning Toronto will need their role players to step up.

The Raptors have yet to release an expected recovery period for DeRozan but Yahoo's Marc Spears is reporting that the timeline for DeRozan's return is "about a month" and that he will be "re-examined in a week."

DeRozan will miss Sunday night's game against the Lakers and likely all of December, a slate that includes two games against Cleveland and a trip to Chicago.

Dwane Casey has a few lineup options to consider as he looks to replace the team's highest-usage player. Either Greivis Vasquez or Lou Williams could be tabbed to join the starting five or Casey could slide Terrence Ross to the two-guard spot and have James Johnson start at small forward.

Whatever Casey chooses to do, and there's the possibility it varies from game to game because of matchups, the way the offence is currently run will have to change for the short-term.

The pindown and double-screens used to create space for DeRozan on the offensive end won't be quite as effective for Vasquez, Williams, Johnson and Ross. Kyle Lowry is going to have to recognize their offensive strengths and adjust accordingly while also picking up some of the scoring slack himself.

There will undoubtedly be a few challenges, as Williams thrives with the ball in his hands but does not attack like DeRozan does while Ross isn't ready to handle the ball offensively.

It's not just Toronto's guards that will notice a change. Since none of the replacements attack the rim with the same consistency as DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas should get more open looks in the post and perhaps more pick-and-roll opportunities given that Lowry, Vasquez, and Williams are all adept pick-and-roll players.

"Somebody else is going to step up," said Vasquez after DeRozan left Friday's loss to Dallas. "Lou [Williams] will step in or myself or James [Johnson] or whatever coach wants to do. Now he’s got a squad. He’s got a team. And now he needs to, and he will, put it together. I think we have guys that can step up and do their job."

With a 13-3 record, the Raptors are still in good shape in a weak Eastern Conference. The way the offence gels without DeRozan will determine where they stand a month from now.

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