You know, as much as we've put down the Raptors defense over the few past years we Raptors fans are pretty guilty ourselves of being predominately offense minded as well. One browse through the board and you will note that many more threads have an offense focus than a defense focus and for example, even when looking at player predictions we see first and foremost offensive stats. Maybe it's the culture of the fans league wide now or maybe we Raptors fans have been conditioned to value offense far more than defense due to the fact that most wins over the past eight years have come by way of outscoring the opponent as opposed to out defending the opponent. This thread is all about defense. Please answer the poll above and please share your list of who you feel will be the top three defenders on the club this season. Also by all means share anything else you want to get into in terms of defense. Don't like Andrea's help defense? Then let's hear it. Worried about Amir getting into foul trouble due to his sometimes lack of control? Lay it on me. Defense, defense, defense.
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Defense Predictions
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Defense Predictions
21Andrea Bargnani14.29%3Julian Wright14.29%3Ed Davis23.81%5Jarrett Jack0.00%0Amir Johnson19.05%4Linas Kleiza0.00%0DeMar DeRozan4.76%1Sonny Weems19.05%4Leandro Barbosa4.76%1Other0.00%0The poll is expired.
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How are you determining defensive effectiveness?
Are you using any quantifiable data or just observation in the eyes of the viewer? Or maybe some other method such as coaches polls etc?
ThanksAvatar: Riverboat Coffee House 134 Yorkville Ave. billboard of upcoming entertainers - Circa 1960s
Memories some so sweet, indeed
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“As a captain, I played furiously. I drew a lot of fouls, but I brought everything I had to every practice and to every game. I left everything on the court because I simply wanted the team to win”
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Only 3 votes so far, but I can't understand how anyone would expect Ed Davis to be a good defender next year. NBA defense is about positioning, timing and anticipation, and all three of those are functions of familiarity with the schemes you're running and where your teammates are going to be; you simply can't expect a rookie surrounded by poor to average help to be a good defender in his first season unless he's got Dwight Howard-esque physical tools. Davis is going to be tossed around down low and he's going to be out of position the majority of the year. He may very well develop into a good to excellent defender, but it's going to require a few years of bulking up and on-the-job learning before it happens. Sorry to burst any bubbles.
At this point I feel like I'd be beating a dead horse talking about the Raptors' defense. They just don't have the players required to be a good defensive team. They have some players with the potential to be good defenders but until they employ a point guard and a center that can both play at least average defense, the team will be constantly exposed and forever rotating, a step or more behind the ball.
I know a lot of people think the team will surprise and run it's way to a decent record, but I disagree. It's hard to run when you're forever inbounding the ball after makes and can't dominate the defensive boards after misses.
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Best Perimeter Defender = Sonny Weems
Post Defender = Amir Johnson, Solomon Alabi (If he gets a chance to play)
Andrea Bargnani can defend big men one on one probably the most effective however has no clue how to rotate/help.
Jarrett Jack is a solid defender but gets beaten easily by the top PGs which forces big men to rotate. If Barbosa wanted to play defense he can keep up with these PGs so it's gonna be very interesting next season. Very excited this year. More running, no more offense going through RuPaul.
So to answer the question, the Raps top three defenders in my opinion
Sonny Weems
Amir Johnson
Jarrett Jack
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Lark Benson wrote: View PostOnly 3 votes so far, but I can't understand how anyone would expect Ed Davis to be a good defender next year. NBA defense is about positioning, timing and anticipation, and all three of those are functions of familiarity with the schemes you're running and where your teammates are going to be; you simply can't expect a rookie surrounded by poor to average help to be a good defender in his first season unless he's got Dwight Howard-esque physical tools. Davis is going to be tossed around down low and he's going to be out of position the majority of the year. He may very well develop into a good to excellent defender, but it's going to require a few years of bulking up and on-the-job learning before it happens. Sorry to burst any bubbles.
At this point I feel like I'd be beating a dead horse talking about the Raptors' defense. They just don't have the players required to be a good defensive team. They have some players with the potential to be good defenders but until they employ a point guard and a center that can both play at least average defense, the team will be constantly exposed and forever rotating, a step or more behind the ball.
I know a lot of people think the team will surprise and run it's way to a decent record, but I disagree. It's hard to run when you're forever inbounding the ball after makes and can't dominate the defensive boards after misses.
2. I do think that it is possible that the Raptors defense could be better in 10-11 than it was in 09-10, but will most likely still be in the bottom half in points allowed per game.
3. You don't need to dominate the defensive backboard to run That is a big fallacy. If you force your opponent into a lower shooting percentage then even though you may not dominate the defensive boards there will be more defensive rebounds than if your opponent shoots a lot better against you. Also, you can run more if you generate more turnovers that stay in bounds. Of course it helps to be a great defensive rebounding team to run but it is not necessary.Avatar: Riverboat Coffee House 134 Yorkville Ave. billboard of upcoming entertainers - Circa 1960s
Memories some so sweet, indeed
Larger Photo of the avatar
“As a captain, I played furiously. I drew a lot of fouls, but I brought everything I had to every practice and to every game. I left everything on the court because I simply wanted the team to win”
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JalenRose5 wrote: View PostBest Perimeter Defender = Sonny Weems
Post Defender = Amir Johnson, Solomon Alabi (If he gets a chance to play)
Andrea Bargnani can defend big men one on one probably the most effective however has no clue how to rotate/help.
Jarrett Jack is a solid defender but gets beaten easily by the top PGs which forces big men to rotate. If Barbosa wanted to play defense he can keep up with these PGs so it's gonna be very interesting next season. Very excited this year. More running, no more offense going through RuPaul.
So to answer the question, the Raps top three defenders in my opinion
Sonny Weems
Amir Johnson
Jarrett Jack
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I voted Davis. Watching his Tar Heel days makes me think that Easy E wont be "easy" to get buy.What if... Blazers had drafted both Drexler, Jordan?
From 1992 Beginner's Guide to the NBA Finals, The Oregonian's special section. Published 6/3/1992.
Michael Jordan was the #3 pick in the 1984 draft, after Portland selected Sam Bowie second.
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I voted for Julian Wright although I wonder if he will get enough playing time to really make an impact. Overall though, I don't think the Raptors are going to be much better defensively than last year if at all.
JoePanini wrote: View PostBarbosa is a better perimeter defender I think
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Lark Benson wrote: View PostOnly 3 votes so far, but I can't understand how anyone would expect Ed Davis to be a good defender next year. NBA defense is about positioning, timing and anticipation, and all three of those are functions of familiarity with the schemes you're running and where your teammates are going to be; you simply can't expect a rookie surrounded by poor to average help to be a good defender in his first season unless he's got Dwight Howard-esque physical tools. Davis is going to be tossed around down low and he's going to be out of position the majority of the year. He may very well develop into a good to excellent defender, but it's going to require a few years of bulking up and on-the-job learning before it happens. Sorry to burst any bubbles.
At this point I feel like I'd be beating a dead horse talking about the Raptors' defense. They just don't have the players required to be a good defensive team. They have some players with the potential to be good defenders but until they employ a point guard and a center that can both play at least average defense, the team will be constantly exposed and forever rotating, a step or more behind the ball.
I know a lot of people think the team will surprise and run it's way to a decent record, but I disagree. It's hard to run when you're forever inbounding the ball after makes and can't dominate the defensive boards after misses.Read my blog, The Picket Fence. Guaranteed to make you think or your money back!
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