6. The Raptors Defense: In A Word, 'Shameful'

You could read this excellent overview of the Toronto Raptors to understand where the team is right now. Really, it’s a nice snapshot, and a comprehensive look at their struggles to play even average defense:

The Raptors defense is beyond awful … it is shameful.

Something is wrong. … here are the issues that occur to me:

1. Athleticism. There are some serious athletes on the Raptors roster; the problem is they’re not very good basketball players.

2. Chemistry. Some serious issues emerging here

3. Turkoglu. He’s been close to terrible as far as I’ve seen. [Re: defense]

4. Coaching. …whatever message Triano has been emphasizing hasn’t been getting through, and now some of his players are calling him on it. That’s a problem.

5. Management: But now [the Raptors are] locked into some long contracts with some average to above-average players, but not his best player, with a group that is less than the sum of its parts.

Well, then. That about it covers it then, huh? Every facet of the team is flawed. And Turkoglu, in particular: it’s always nice to add a $52 million free agent, only to have him three months later get his own special category on a “What’s wrong with the Raptors” list. But hey, did you know that he also turns 31 this year? (Maybe we should consolidate the management and Turkoglu categories…)

In any case, Michael Grange does a nice job expounding on each facet of defensive failure, and why it’s contributing to Toronto’s demise. A good, honest appraisal.

Of course, if you’re not a Raptors fan and don’t have time to read it, you could just watch highlights from last night: 

They gave up 146 points? To the Hawks? That really is shameful. Good grief.