Breaking It Down: Ed Davis has a lot to learn
Here's a play from last night's game which shows both the learning process a big has to go through, and the low communication level in the Raptors 29th ranked defense.
Here's a play from last night's game which shows both the learning process a big has to go through, and the low communication level in the Raptors 29th ranked defense.
Raps started out on an 8-0 run. GSW called a timeout, and that was the end of it. The run following GSW's timeout put them in control of the game and they never looked back. Here are three plays from that run focusing on the Raptors' defense (or lack thereof).
We'll start the first segment of Breaking It Down with a defensive set, one in which Andrea Bargnani does some good and bad. This is taken from the Boston game where Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett are about to run a fairly routine pick 'n roll on the right wing. On the play Bargnani has two main defensive responsibilities, one he does well and the other he blows.
The turning point against Golden State came when Stephen Curry calmly drained three threes in the opening 3:30 of the fourth quarter. The Raptors defense on those three plays is the subject of today's post.
One of the things that really bugs me about the Raptors league-worst defense is where the help is coming from. Generally speaking, we tend to send a lot of help in order to compensate for our defense at the wings.
Here's a defensive possession from the first half where it's evident what the Lakers are about to do, but only one Raptor anticipates the action while the one that was supposed to see it coming, didn't move an inch.
Amir Johnson's been known to pick up fouls at a fairly quick rate, every 5.49 minutes to be exact. He picked up three fouls in a span of 1:57 against Cleveland, one of those fouls was a little interesting and is a subject of this BID segment.
One of the things that stood out against Philadelphia were the Raptors' 26 fastbreak points. Many of the points were the result of a convenient rebound combined with an aggressive mentality to run. We examine two such instances.
We break down the key offensive and defensive play of the Knicks game: Bosh scoring on a face-up and Jarrett Jack drawing the charge.
Here's a play against the Bucks which relies heavily on timing and three players being on the same page. It is executed to perfection.
Where is the effort from Bargnani on this possession?
We examine a couple defensive sequences and ask why a Raptor left his man open.