What happened to the Raptors' defence?
Astounding — the Toronto Raptors' performance on defence has been abysmal. Nick Nurse had them in top spots for years, but since November 30th, their defensive rating has plummeted to 113.7 points per 100 possessions, leaving them 27th in the league, according to Michael Grange. Even more concerning is their opponent’s field goal percentage. Opponents have shot 66.9% on shots within five feet and 41.2% on shots beyond twenty feet — putting them in the 25th place for both metrics in the NBA standings.
Shockingly — the Raptors have become one of the worst teams defensively compared to their past seasons under Nurse's guidance.
What caused this decline? Where did things go wrong? How is it possible that this team went from one of the best defensive teams in the NBA to one of its worst?
These are all questions that need to be looked at and answered. We must delve deeper into how this happened and what can be done about it.
Has any fault been laid at the coach Nurse's door or other members of the coaching staff? What issues are there with player rotations or personnel decisions? Is there anything else we can learn from going forward that could make a positive difference for our beloved basketball team?
The answer could lie within an improved focus on fundamentals. Make sure all players maintain proper body position, close out with confidence on shooters, and make sure off-ball defenders are ready to rotate when needed - all these small details can come together and significantly impact defence.
Getting back to basic techniques is sometimes just thrown into practice as "another drill." Still, we must genuinely prioritize and focus on areas to ensure they stay sharp throughout the season. Going back through the game tape and analyzing game plans in hindsight helps improve what was lacking before so that we don't repeat those same mistakes in future contests.
Confounding — that Nurse has not been able to prop up the defence despite his team's deep depth at guard and centre positions they've acquired over recent seasons.
Surprisingly — even with a deep roster full of quality defenders, they are still far behind any other team in defending inside and outside the arc.
Perplexing—what some of their players are doing wrong, or isn't clicking as a cohesive unit compared to past incarnations of stellar defence?
What is Raptors' identity at the moment?
The outside noise is coming loud and clear. The Raptors are not who they think they are.
Unmasking the truth: the Raptors must confront their identity. There's a discrepancy between the team they think they are and their actual abilities.
Yes, they don't have the personnel to be an excellent 3-point shooting team this season, but what they have, on the other hand, is enough to become an elite defensive team. This team is assembled with tremendous athletic talent and tall mobile athletes who should be able to guard anyone in the league.
To pull this off, talent and coaches' schemes are not enough. You need effort! You need willingness! You must want it bad and harness your energy toward tighter defence plays. It's time to take complete control of the game. With this season on the line, the Raptors must uncover the truth and confront their identity. Who are we?
What seemed evident before may not hold—and that's ok. Despite their personnel, their goals remain the same; to win and to develop the talent at hand!
The time is now; We need to turn this season around.
So place your hands on your chest as you realize it has always been within reach; all you have to do is take control of yourself and the game. This is your moment—the time is now—to own it at every second with unparalleled dedication.
Excitement is in the air as the Raptors look to cap off this season with a bang. This is their moment. Now they must regain their focus, turning that excitement into determination and dedication to realize their ambition.
That means putting their hands on the wheel, taking control of the game and never letting go — at every second, driving towards their ends with unparalleled duty and commitment.
It's only two games left. It’s time for this team to take ownership of their defence and finish 2022 in the fashion we know they're capable of doing.
unknown
https://raptorsrumors.com/articles/the-toronto-raptors-defence-is-falling-apart
By: unknown
Title: The Toronto Raptors' Defence Is Falling Apart
Sourced From: raptorsrumors.com/articles/the-toronto-raptors-defence-is-falling-apart
Published Date: 12-29-2022
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a trade exemption in NBA?
A trade exception in NBA allows teams to trade away any player. This exception allows teams the opportunity to acquire players whose salaries exceed those of the players they have traded away, without having to make corresponding salary moves. The exception is available to a team over multiple seasons. It does not count against their salary cap, luxury tax threshold, or other restrictions. Trade exceptions are a valuable way for teams to adjust their rosters without having to shed salaries or change their roster composition during the season if they need to adjust. This allows for teams to compete and avoid situations in which some teams may have an unfair advantage because of their financial situation.
It keeps the league financially strong and gives teams the freedom to make moves without worrying about their finances. Trade exceptions can be used to help teams win championships and are an essential part in roster construction.
Which NBA player is the best defender?
Anybody familiar with basketball would not be surprised to see "The Dream" at the top of this list. Hakeem Olajuwon made 3,830 blocked shots over his 18-year NBA career. This is more than any other player. He was also a 9-time All-Defensive player and 2-time DPOY, leading his team to win two NBA Championships. He was a top defender. His athleticism, timing and footwork made him an excellent rebounder and shot blocker. He was unstoppable in defending any position on a court, making him an absolute nightmare for opponents. Not only was he a formidable defensive player, but he was also a top offensive player. He was quick and agile with a great array of spin moves. This allowed him score in the post. His versatility meant that he was one of the most skilled players and even defenders. It is clear that Hakeem Olajuwon should be on this list.
Bill Russell is only #2 on this list because of his 15.1 ppg average, but he was a great defender and caused nightmares for opposing teams. Bill Russell is a legend, having won 11 NBA Championships during his career. He was an integral part of the Boston Celtics' phenomenal success. His defensive prowess, rebounding ability and slashing skills were vital to their championship wins. Many consider him the most decorated NBA defender. His ability to read and anticipate play made him an intimidating presence on court.
This is the third place list, with Dennis Rodman. He was a unique player in the NBA's history and made an immediate impact on the game. Rodman's tough defense, rebounding skills, and ability to score without the ball allowed him to be a consistent winner for his team. Dennis Rodman was a seven time Rebounding Champ and an eight-time All Defensive Player. He was also a 2-time DPOY and a five-time NBA Champion. His tenacity on the defensive end was among the best, as he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. He was also a great rebounder. He often out-jumps taller players and takes boards from them.
Who scored the first basket in the NBA?
Ossie Schectman, an American professional basketball player, scored the first basket in the Basketball Association of America. This was later to become the National Basketball Association. On November 1, 1946, the Toronto Huskies defeated the New York Knickerbockers to score the basket. Schectman scored the historic first basket that opened the BAA's inaugural year.
What rivalry does the NBA have?
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers hold the title of the biggest rivalry in the NBA.
The NBA Finals have seen the Boston Celtics meet the Los Angeles Lakers 12 times. The Celtics have won nine out of the 12 meetings. Their first meeting took place in 1959. They both excelled over the next years, especially during 1960s-80s, when they would encounter each other six times and then three times. The new millennium marked 2000, but the two teams still met twice within the same year.
How long can a waiver-bound player remain?
If an NBA player is let go by their team during the season, they are on the waiver. Waived players may be claimed by another side within 48 hours. If the player is claimed by more than one team, priority will be given to the team with a poor record.
Which NBA Player is the NBA's all-time leading scorer?
Kareem Adolphar is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He has scored 38,387 points in his career. LeBron James is second with 37,062 point. Karl Malone is in third place with 36,928 points. Kobe Bryant is in fourth place with 33,643 points. Michael Jordan is fifth, with 32 922 points.
Statistics
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20 percent of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- As of 2014, 45 percent of its viewers were black, while 40 percent were white, making it the only top North American sport that does not have a white majority audience.[102]As of 2017Democrats than Republicans.[103]Outside (en.wikipedia.org)
- Meanwhile, the opening night rosters include a record-setting 234 players with some G League experience, according to the NBA ( Twitter link ). (hoopsrumors.com)
- The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
bleacherreport.com
- Which NBA Teams will Join the Victor Wembanyama Teamathon?
- Latest NBA Intel - Sources Expect Zach LaVine Re-Sign with Chicago Bulls
si.com
- NBA Free Agency Preview. Biggest Rumors and Questions
- Free From Quarantine: The NBA Bubble Is A Unique Experience
sbnation.com
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
How To
How do you buy an NBA jersey?
It is easy to buy an NBA jersey online. There are numerous online retailers that offer official team merchandise. You should do extensive research about the jersey size and quality before making your purchase.
When shopping online for your NBA jersey, remember a few things. First, it's important to pick the right size. Check the size chart for the team you are interested in and see if it is measured in centimetres or inches. You should choose the best size for you, but leave enough room in the chest.
You should also find out the fabric used to make the jersey. Although most NBA jerseys contain 100% polyester, some may incorporate a mix of different materials in order to create the desired look. It's also important to check if the product is an authentic team replica or just a generic knockoff.
Read customer reviews before you buy. This will allow you to determine the quality of the customer service. Once you've found an online store with a good reputation, don't forget to compare prices from different stores before checking out.
