How do we fix our defense?

[lewro]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hddHSM82SpY

6 second mark. Like to see that in 2nd Rd vs horford.

[golden]

They haven't forgotten how to defend and they shouldn't need Biyombo next to them to do it a high level. The reality is: their priorities have changed.

The Raptors have played like an offensive-minded team for so long that they've become an offensive-minded team.

They've won so many games, they've scored so many points and, as a result, they've started to think they're better than they actually are. Casey often insists their margin for error is slim, that they need to out-work teams in order to win games

http://www.tsn.ca/raptors-searching-...e-end-1.661134

[iblastoff]

Specifically, Biyombo mentioned last season's Lowry+bench unit. "I don't think we played for any other reason than to try and [get stops]"

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 29, 2017

[lewro]

Serge and Tucker. Fixed.

[S.R.]

Serge and Tucker. Fixed.

Shut this thread down, mods.

[Puffer]

Serge and Tucker. Fixed.

"It's over."

[Jangles]

Let's see if we can do it for 2 games now.

[Nilanka]

It's nice to have confidence that we now have a legit closing lineup that can get stops when needed.

Hope what we're witnessing isn't just the expected spike in play following a trade, but rather grounded defensive habits that will last the rest of the season.

[S.R.]

It's nice to have confidence that we now have a legit closing lineup that can get stops when needed.

Hope what we're witnessing isn't just the expected spike in play following a trade, but rather grounded defensive habits that will last the rest of the season.

I think so. It is in large part just the ability level of the new players vs. the guys they're replacing.

For example CoJo's getting a lot of praise, he's been guarding IT/Kemba/Lillard all year, but now on the p'n'r you have guys like Serge or Tucker who can either switch on the screen (in Tucker's case) or are able to hedge so well that they allow CoJo to recover to his man like he's supposed to, or if everything breaks down Serge can at least stay with a guard driving the ball to the basket and contest the shot or get a block there (has happened several times). Nobody defending the p'n'r with CoJo before could do these things as well as Serge & Tucker. Suddenly another "perimeter blow by" is just a screen/hedge/recover defensive sequence like it's supposed to be.

Things can tighten up even more as 2nd/3rd/4th rotations tighten up, which is where there've been a couple break downs these first two games as the new guys are not clear on assignments in multiple rotation situations.

[yabadabayolo]

This new "switch everyting" defense with the cory/derozan/carrol/tucker/ibaka closing lineup is lethal

They have a 89 DRTG, and everyone looks engaged at all times. It really helps that ibaka & Tucker can guard pretty much 1-5 on a swicth

[Ball]

Fun fact: our defensive rating (according to NBA.com) is 105.5, which is 13th in the league. At #9 is Dallas, and their defensive rating is 105.4, a mere 0.01 points ahead of ours. Next at #8 is Memphis with a defensive rating of 105.1. So defense is officially fixed!

[TrueTorontoFan]

Fun fact: our defensive rating (according to NBA.com) is 105.5, which is 13th in the league. At #9 is Dallas, and their defensive rating is 105.4, a mere 0.01 points ahead of ours. Next at #8 is Memphis with a defensive rating of 105.1. So defense is officially fixed!

just really curious what it has been since the pj tucker and ibaka trade?

[DanH]

just really curious what it has been since the pj tucker and ibaka trade?

102.8, 8th in the league.

[Cody73]

These numbers are pretty good.... but how are we doing at defending the 3?

[DanH]

These numbers are pretty good.... but how are we doing at defending the 3?

Before the all star break we gave up the 9th most 3PA's per possession, and were middle of the pack in percentage.

They are still middle of the pack in percentage, but are down to 18th most attempts given up, which is definitely an improvement.