Jeff Zillgitt

USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry is having a career year. Again. Another season better than a previous one. Another year older, another season of improvement.

The first career-year came in 2010-11. Then next in 2013-14. He became an All-Star for the first time in 2014-15.

How many career-years does a player get?

For Lowry, one more. At least one more.

This season, Lowry — an All-Star starter for the first time in his 10-year career – is averaging career-bests in points (21.1) and rebounds (4.9) and steals (2.3), shooting a career-high on three-pointers (39.7%) and playing a career-high in minutes per game (36.7).

"I’m not satisfied, and I’m never happy with where I am,” Lowry told USA TODAY Sports. "I feel you can always get better at something. If you’re at a point where you don’t feel you can get better, maybe this isn’t for you. I’m still growing."

Luke Walton admits it would've been fun to coach Kobe in All-Star Game

After bouncing from Memphis to Houston to Toronto, Lowry, 29, found a home in Canada’s largest city. For a general manager (Masai Ujiri) he believes in. For a coach (Dwane Casey) who he trusts. In a role that allows him to thrive.

"It’s just being in a situation where I’m confident in knowing what I can do on the floor and not second guessing myself," Lowry said.

Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan, Lowry’s backcourt partner, is also a 2016 All-Star, making this weekend special for the Raptors, their fans and the host city.

“Being an All-Star the first time is always special and will hold a different place in my heart,” Lowry said. “But being an All-Star in your city, man, that’s where it is. That’s what you want to do. That’s the cool part, being in your city."

He wants to walk from his downtown residence to Air Canada on Sunday. Except forecasts call for a high of 13 degrees.

Lowry, DeRozan and the Raptors are enjoying their best season since Casey took over as coach in 2011-12, and Toronto is on pace for a franchise-best 55 wins and the franchise’s first 50-win season.

While Adam Silver focuses on game, he also works on getting new labor deal

They are 35-17 and in second place behind the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.

But the Raptors have lost in the first round of the playoffs the past two seasons, and if there’s not at least one postseason series win this season, the joy will be forgotten.

Lowry, who was born in Philadelphia and played at Villanova, knows that.

“Wins have to equal getting closer to a championship,” said Lowry, who is in year two of four-year, $48 million contract.

A healthy, productive Lowry is crucial to that progress.

"When you’re in the league this long, the one thing you’re striving for is winning," Casey said. "You’ve had financial success. You’ve had some success winning but the ultimate prize of playing for a championship is high on his agenda.”

Taxi protest could affect All-Star game

Lowry arrived to training camp in the best shape of his life. He was intent on losing weight and began a rigorous exercise and diet plan in the summer. He wasn’t aware of his physical transformation until New York Knicks big man Kyle O’Quinn posted a photo on Instagram and Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick asked, “Bro, is that Kyle Lowry?”

Better shape has led to another All-Star season, and Lowry has a great understanding of his game.

“I’m not Russell (Westbrook). I don’t shoot the ball like Steph (Curry). I’m not as fast as John (Wall). But I’m smart,” Lowry said. “I understand which spots I can be as fast as John or I can get shots like Steph or explode at points like Russell. You have to understand time and situation and who you are.”

Examples: He blew by guard Reggie Jackson in a halfcourt set in a recent game against the Detroit Pistons; made 7-of-9 three-pointers against Brooklyn in January; turned steals into layups against Atlanta in December.

Lowry is one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the league, shooting 47.8% on those plays, including 48.5% on three-pointers, and he is scoring 1.21 points per possession in spot-up shooting.

The two-man game with Lowry and DeRozan has helped pushed Toronto to the sixth-best team in offensive efficiency, scoring 105.6 points per 100 possessions.

That he’s doing this in his 10th season is a testament to Lowry and his desire to prove himself. He knows some players at this stage of their careers are not improving.

"I was in situations where I didn’t have a chance to showcase what I could do," he said. "Maybe if I gotten to a point where I could showcase what I can do earlier, maybe we wouldn’t be talking about this."

PHOTOS: 2016 NBA All-Star rosters

In Lowry’s second season with Memphis in 2007-08, the Grizzlies drafted Mike Conley, who became the starting point guard. At the trade deadline in 2009, Memphis traded Lowry to Houston. But Aaron Brooks was the starter.

Lowry got a chance to start in 2010-11 with the Rockets but was in another position battle with Goran Dragic the following season. He also clashed with then-Rockets coach Kevin McHale.

When the Raptors acquired Lowry before 2012-13, he still battled for a starting job with Jose Calderon.

"I never thought I was a backup," Lowry said. "I always thought I was a starter."

When the Raptors traded Calderon just before the February trade deadline in 2013, Lowry had the job to himself, and his relationship with Casey grew.

“We understand each other,” Casey said. "Do we always agree? No. Not every point guard does. We have evolved as far as working together and that’s helped him relax and play basketball. It’s all about getting it right. It’s never a selfish thing from his standpoint. We’ve had some success. Are we finished? No."

It starts with a playoff series victory. And perhaps another and an appearance in the conference finals. What do the Raptors need from Lowry for that to happen?

“Be me. Score. Pass. Defend. Lead,” Lowry said. “Be the guy who people can count no matter what.”