The only problem for the Toronto Raptors seems to be their lack of defensive toughness. Which is the biggest reason that is holding this young team back from going deep into the playoffs. Their only chance this year is to outscore their opponents. But this strategy, although it may give you a good win-loss record in the regular season, come playoff time style dictates defensive basketball at a slowed down pace. The Raptors have found success when they fast break only when their defense demands it. Earlier in the year, when they tried to consistently run a la Phoenix Suns, they struggled as I feel they have a good mix of fast break and half-court type players.
Their starting line-up leaves a lot to be desired defensively. But they do not have the stoppers to throw in there on defense. At the centre spot Rasho Nesterovic provides good interior D in short spurts and I like how they have used him against the solid bigs to eat up minutes and fouls inside. While also having Bargnani spell him for some offensive punch. Andrea shows in spots as a shot-blocker when he wants to be but still shows signs of being a rookie. At power forward two words Chris Bosh. Offensively the only chink in the armour is the lack of a right-hand, strength to overpower in the paint. Defensively it's surprising he doesn't have more blocked shots. His biggest weakness is getting pushed around down low, but he is definitly an above average defender helping the Raps cover up a few mistakes from time to time. Forward Jorge Garbojosa presents some key questions he is undersized at PF, but an oversized small forward. With his quick feet he shows initiative in taking charges. He is and interesting defensive key when Toronto switches to zone coverage with his length and know how. Jorge remains however a liability in the open court guarding faster dribbling smaller forwards. Of course if Joey Graham turned into the "stud" he was touted, coming out of Oklahoma State as the 16th overall pick in 2005 in front of Danny Granger. Then the Raptors would be in a better state than to rely on an old school rookie in #15.
At the two spot they have just acquired Juan Dixon from the Portland Trail-Blazers for a player that calls Portland home and didn't mind waiving his third year player option on his contract to get back there and try and contribute to a team that could use him, but he might not have noticed that they have a ROY candidate at the two spot in Brandon Roy. The raptors key off-guard Anthony "aka Allan Houston" Parker has been solid and has shared time with Mo Pete and also played alongside Morris Peterson for the most part this year. As they have both done respectively reasonable jobs trying to contain the big scorers of the league. The point guards for T.O. have been upgraded a little with the Dixon addition as I felt they should as Darrick Martin is a great guy but is a little shot happy in his old age. He has tremendous respect from teammates but they would be in serious trouble if they had to rely on him to play more than 12 minutes a game as seen when Calderon or Ford have had injuries this season. Toronto maintains the deepest spot in the lineup, they are extremely talented at finishing offensively with T.J. and Jose breaking down opposing defenders with their astounding first-step. Though their defense continually lets guards get the necessary room needed to break down the interior defense until the Raptors collapse and their untimely switches result in way to many open shooters, lanes and easy shots.
So what can the Toronto Raptors do internally to resolve or at least band-aid their current situation as it has become quite an anomaly. Coach Sam Mitchell needs to unceremoniously drop his man-to-man schemes and take on some new plays and take some chances, because if the offensive well runs dry and they start missing shots then the first place Atlantic Division leaders could make a quick exit from the '07 playoffs.
