TORONTO - Following the final game in each of his first four NBA seasons, DeMar DeRozan has stood in front of the media contingent at the Raptors annual post-mortem gathering, vowing to work tirelessly on his game during the summer and return a more well-rounded player come the fall. One of his most glaring weaknesses as a young guard in the league was his playmaking ability. As a 19-year-old rookie in 2009-10, DeRozan averaged less than one assist per game. Among NBA guards that logged at least 20 minutes per outing that season, DeRozan assisted on the lowest percentage of his teammates field goals (just under 5 per cent, tied with Orlandos Mickael Pietrus, per NBA.com/stats). Hes come a long way since then, making good on his yearly end-of-season promise. DeRozans four assists in Sundays win over the Magic raised his season total to 205, a new career-high, besting last years mark with 26 games left to play. "I want to make my teammates better," said the Raptors guard, who continues to evolve as a distributer, averaging a career-best 3.8 dimes this season. "It just comes with experience and understanding. Its something that I really enjoy doing, getting my teammates involved, looking for them." The 24-year-olds assist numbers have increased in each of his five seasons and his assist percentage this year (18.6) is more than three-times higher than it was in his rookie campaign (4.9). DeRozan had recorded five or more assists in just five of his first 222 games as an NBA player, his first three years in the league. Since then hes accomplished that feat 28 times in 136 contests, including 15 during his 2013-14 breakout season. "Thats huge," Dwane Casey said of his leading scorers improved court vision. "Now hes drawing so much attention from the other teams as far as double teaming, guys helping, theyre sinking in and hes making teams pay for it." "Hes one of the best wings right now in the league as far as passing the ball out [of the double team] and hes doing a great job of it," Casey continued. "So thats a big step in his growth process. Its good to see and the more attention he gets the more hes going to have to rely on that part of his game." A first-time all-star this season, DeRozan has had to adjust to the defensive attention hes getting now that he finds himself on the top of the oppositions scouting report. Theres nowhere left to hide, not after the trade of top dog Rudy Gay, but DeRozan has embraced the responsibility. "The game definitely does slow down," he noted. "You understand every defence. Theres not too many defences I havent seen yet and just watching film and understanding how teams play key players, especially key scorers, once you understand that a lot of things come a lot easier." As a team, the Raptors are just 14-17 when DeRozan scores 20 or more points, however theyre 18-8 when he tallies at least four assists. Matt Miazga Jersey . -- Challenged for the first time under Major League Baseballs expanded replay system, umpires got it right. Juan Agudelo Jersey . Thats exactly what happened. And they enjoyed every moment. Durant remained sizzling with 33 points, Serge Ibaka added 22 and the Thunder roared back from an abysmal start -- they trailed 22-4 early -- to embarrass the Miami Heat 112-95 on Wednesday night, erasing that big deficit out of the gate by outscoring the two-time defending champions by 43 points over a 33-minute span. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/erik-palmer-brown-usa-jersey/ .Stanton suffered fractures in his face and other injuries when he was hit by a pitch Sept. 11. The Marlins are confident hell fully recover and be ready for spring training, and they hope to reach a long-term agreement with him. Joe Corona Jersey . In the opener of the World Group first-round series, world No. 18 Kei Nishikori defeated Peter Polansky of Thornhill, Ont. Justin Morrow Jersey .C. -- North Carolina State coach Mark Gottfried said his team had a "golden" opportunity to help its NCAA tournament chances.LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The only time Victor Espinoza won the Kentucky Derby was aboard War Emblem in 2002. They broke from the No. 5 post, the same position hell start the 140th edition of the race with early 5-2 favourite California Chrome. "Hopefully, thats my lucky number," Espinoza said Wednesday. Eight horses have won from there, most recently Funny Cide in 2003. "I think its a perfect spot," trainer Art Sherman said. "I think we break clean, hell get out of a lot of trouble. Hes got a little gas leaving there." At 77, Sherman could become the oldest trainer to win the Derby, surpassing Charlie Whittinghams record of 76 when Sunday Silence won in 1989. California Chrome comes into the Derby having won his last four starts by a combined 24 1/4 lengths. "Just an amazing horse to ride," Espinoza said. "I let him do his own thing and I think he likes that." Hoppertunity was made the 6-1 second choice in the full field of 20 horses. Hoppertunity, who lost to California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby, drew the No. 11 post for the race Saturday at Churchill Downs. Hes trained by Bob Baffert, a three-time Derby winner with two starters. "Other than California Chrome, whos proven hes a really good horse, theres a lot of horses in there that are pretty close," Baffert said. "Theres a lot of parity in this field." His other horse, Chitu, is a 20-1 long shot that drew the No. 13 post. Wicked Strong, named for the victims of last years Boston Marathon bombings, is the 8-1 third choice and will break from the 20th post on the far outside. He and the No. 10 horse, Wildcat Red, will be last ones loaded into the starting gate, so they wont be in there very long. Some trainers dont like the No. 20 post because their horse is on the far outside and has to quickly make its way over toward the rail to save ground. Calvin Borel will break from the No. 19 post aboard Ride On Curlin. The jockey nicknamed "Bo-rail" for his love of riding along the rail has won three Derbies since 2007, and hell have to hustle his horse over quickly to snag his favourite position. California Chrome, Hoppertunity and Wicked Strong were the only horses listed at single digits by Chhurchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.dddddddddddd Danza is the 10-1 fourth choice and drew the No. 4 post. Hes one of four horses trained by Todd Pletcher. The others are: Intense Holiday, 12-1; Vinceremos, 30-1; and We Miss Artie, 50-1. "We made out well," Pletcher said. "It doesnt matter where you draw, youre just looking for a clean trip." Mike Maker will saddle a trio of horses: General a Rod, 15-1; Harrys Holiday, 50-1; and Vicars In Trouble, a 30-1 shot that drew the dreaded No. 1 post. Rosie Napravnik will be aboard Vicars In Trouble trying to become the first female jockey to win the Derby. She was fifth last year with Mylute, the highest finish by a woman in history. Napravnik watched the draw from the jockeys room at the track. "I was just kind of shocked, being the first one drawn," she said. "Vicars real sharp out of the gate and I think hell be able to get in good position. Theres been plenty of winners out of the one-hole, so Vicars not in trouble yet." Eight horses have won from the first spot in the starting gate, but none since Ferdinand in 1986. Most trainers despise the No. 1 hole because their horse starts next to the rail and could get pinched going into the crowded first turn. The starting gate is loaded two horses at a time, and the first ones to go in will be Vicars In Trouble and No. 11 Hoppertunity, meaning theyll have the longest wait while the rest of the field is loaded. "Hes a pretty cool, calm horse so he should be fine in there," Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith said about Hoppertunity. Hoppertunity didnt race as a 2-year-old, setting him up for a chance to break one of the Derbys oldest jinxes: no horse since Apollo in 1882 has won the Derby without racing at 2. The No. 10 post has produced the most Derby winners with nine, most recently in 2005, when Smith won with 50-1 shot Giacomo. Wildcat Red, trained by Jose Garrafalo, landed in that spot this time. The other 50-1 shot in the race is Commanding Curve, who will break from the No. 17 post. The 21st horse on the points list is Pablo Del Monte, an also eligible who would need a defection before 9 a.m. Friday, when Derby wagering opens, to get into the $2.2 million race. 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