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Are we not giving our defense enough credit?

Eventhough some nights it may not show, but we're quietly becoming a force on defense now-a-days. Check out these numbers:

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBA.com

The Raptors have held opponents to under 80 points an NBA best nine times this season, the most by a Raptors team since the 2003-04 season (18).

Toronto has won seven of its past nine, averaging 103.7 points for and 94.8 against … During that stretch Toronto has recorded four of their seven highest scoring games.

Link - Click here

Yes. In my opinion this is hwere the coaching staff deserves the most credit. Hell, and seeing how we're missing a very good defender in Jorge it makes me even more impressed.

It's funny, the more and more I watch this team play, the more I realize that we resemble the Spurs more than the Suns (our early comparison). It's actually, scary how close we resemble them when we play the two man game with Jose and Bosh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claudius (Post 6714)

Yes, yes, yes... :)

I said this last year when we were 'on' that we resembled the Spurs more than the Suns. We get fastbreak points through defense not by running just for the sake of running.

Now if these guys start closing out faster on shooters like Parker started doing in the Boston game to Allen the D will be even better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACIEEARL40 (Post 6717)

I think what's starting to happen is our team is just becoming accustomed to playing with one another. And that our coaching staff has FINALLY gotten the message out. If we start closing out on shooters imo we're a top 5 defensive team potentially.

It's interesting this season, the second we see a team starts the offensive zone disorganized we show this "killer" instinct out there. Look at the Milwaukee game, they came out disorganized one set, Jose got the steal and we go thte clear path foul. Same thing happened in Boston. We're starting to take advantage of their offensive mistakes and that impresses me more than anything.

The key now on defense is maintaining a consistent interior presence. If Bargs continues to play defense like he did against Boston and Milwaukee then our defense should continue to get stronger during the 2nd half of the season and we should see more games like we did last night. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. J. Naismith (Post 6735)

Exactly.

This was something we had only when we had Rasho on the floor. Now with Bargs' development we don't really lose a step with the second (or is it first) unit. We're solid all around.

Add into the fact that Bosh has played like a fucking MVP lately both offensively and defensively and I'm happy.