Toronto Raptors: Aims to Achieve Future Success

In my Toronto Raptors’ New Years’ Resolutions article in January, I addressed what I felt were their aims going forward to hopefully avoid failure and achieve future success. It appeared to be all good during a recent five-game stretch, defeating the likes of San Antonio, the L.A. Clippers and Washington, while also crushing Atlanta.

Unfortunately, as if God himself was saying: “Not so fast, Raptors!”, he pulled the rug out from under their feet against Houston, Dallas, and Golden State, who are all great teams. However, he also included New Orleans– without Anthony Davis– together with former Raptor Andrea Bargnani and the lowly New York Knicks (BARF-ani).

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We have both sides of the spectrum covered– amazing and terrible– so obviously, they’re a tad inconsistent to put it lightly. Here, we’re going back to the suggestions laid out in early January, to see where the Raptors may be going wrong and what they’re doing fine. Overall, we’re going to see if they can further hone their skills and hopefully continue to take steps towards becoming a part of the upper echelon of the NBA.

1. BE IT RESOLVED! TO BE A DEFENSIVE TEAM:

Does anyone remember when Dwane Casey (below right) was brought in as coach to be a defensive stopper? Well it’s true! That actually happened.

Mar 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey reacts to a play against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Raptors defeated the 76ers 114-103. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Before, in their hot start, their offense covered up a poor defense in many cases.

Well, just look at the 44 points given up in the third quarter alone to Golden State to ask how their D is doing ? Even if we dismiss that game as an anomaly (I mean Golden State were ridiculous and their shooters were just unconscious), Toronto still gave up 53% shooting from the field in their win on Monday night against Philadelphia!! They are the worst offensive team in the league by a long-shot (who will trade away their best parts). A good defensive team would not give up a hundred points to the lowly 76ers. C’mon…

2. BE IT RESOLVED! TO PUT TEAMS AWAY:

When you’re up Raptors, don’t take your foot off the accelerator. You’ve seen how leads can evaporate. I know Houston and Dallas are good teams so it’s tougher to put them away, but please refer to the next bullet if you find your lead disappearing or shots aren’t falling.

Feb 24, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Toronto Raptors center

Jonas Valanciunas

(17) and Dallas Mavericks center

Tyson Chandler

(6) fight for position during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

3. BE IT RESOLVED! TO GO INSIDE:

It’s always a great idea to go inside! This may be the most important one, actually. If you go inside, it opens up the outside. C’mon… everybody knows that! Jonas Valanciunas (right) is getting there– at times he shows touch and at other times decent power, driving to the hoop. Lowry often goes down to JV in the post, but it’s usually early in contests. When things are going wiry and shots aren’t falling, settle things down and go inside! They rarely do this in the second half. If you don’t trust Jonas, go to Amir Johnson (below right) or even Patrick Patterson– both men are great options. James Johnson is another one! Open the shots outside by going inside first! Go down low Raps– it’s a win-win situation… especially when the shots stop falling for a shot-happy team.

Part of that solution is to drive the ball. Terrence Ross (below, right) has been the best shooter on the Raps as of late, but my man has to drive a little more! He does drive more now than he used to, but c’mon boy! You’ve won the slam dunk competition… let’s drive and throw it down! You see what that can do for momentum!? When the shots aren’t falling, drive it inside and see what you can do to flip the momentum. After that good feeling, you know what? The shots may start to fall…

Feb 27, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Terrence Ross (31) tries to get around Golden State Warriors guard

Shaun Livingston

(34) at the Air Canada Centre. Golden State defeated Toronto 113-89. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

And this point isn’t reserved for Ross. All y’all can drive! Pretty much all you guys can throw it down hard (Kyle Lowry, you don’t have to dunk).

4. BE IT RESOLVED! TO BRING DOWN A BOARD:

The Raps rank 22nd in the league, according to Basketball Reference, which isn’t good. The Raps are a high-flying team– one of the best in transition– but they can’t forget to box out. It may give them an extra possession– or give the opponent one– and that may be all that’s needed to win a game. I asked them to get nasty under that rim! The Raptors don’t always seem to want it as much as the other team. Tyler Hansbrough does, but Jonas Valanciunas? He’s getting better… but it’s gotta be every play. It starts with everybody getting position on their man.

5. BE IT RESOLVED! TO HAVE A PLAN AT THE END OF THE GAME:

In the first bit of the season, Toronto was an amazing fourth quarter team (Matt Devlin: WE THE FOURTH!). However, lately in close games, the Raptors are not as smooth. It seems as if now they watch the ball a little more and hope the shots go in. This plan isn’t a great one, as shots never seem to go in as easily at the end of the game.

SO RAPTORS, BE IT RESOLVED!!

The Eastern Conference is there for the taking. Somehow, after this losing streak, the Raptors still have the second-seed. Apply these resolutions, and it’ll be much easier to top the pile in the Eastern Conference when it matters.

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