From liability to strength: the Raptors defense

Raptors coach Dwane Casey was adamant this year’s version would play stout defense. They have, and the rewards have been considerable.

Editor’s Note: We are pleased to bring you new Staff Writer Caleb Profitt’s first post. 

Lip-readers around the NBA believe Gregg Popovich told Dwane Casey he expects the Toronto Raptors to reach the Finals.  Regardless of what Pop said, the Raptors are enjoying the best regular season in franchise history, and improved defense, especially from their big men, has propelled them.

While winning 49 games and the Atlantic Division in the 2014-15 season, the Raptors succeeded in spite of their defense. Toronto allowed 100.9 points per game, ranking 18th in opponent scoring and 23rd in defensive efficiency, allowing 104.8 points per 100 possessions. The Washington Wizards further exposed the Raptors’ defense in the playoffs, scoring 110 points per game in a first round sweep.

The Raptors knew better defense was a prerequisite for success in 2015-16, and improved defense has allowed them to post a .500 or better record against nearly every team in the Eastern Conference.

Through 76 games, the Raptors have held opponents to 98.5 points per game, fifth best in the NBA, while ranking 11th in defensive efficiency, posting a 102.9 DefRtg. Toronto’s defense has leapt from a bottom 10 defensive team to top 10 in a season.

Toronto’s bigs made the largest jump from last season, and their improved defense around the rim and in the paint has proven crucial to the Raptors success.

According to NBA.com, the Raptors especially improved their defense against shots less than 6ft and less than 10ft from the basket. Opposing offenses shoot 2% worse than their average (sixth best in the league) from less than 6ft and 2.6% worse from less than 10ft (best in the NBA) against the Raptors, who ranked in the bottom half of the league in both categories last season.

Better defense down low is a team achievement, but Jonas Valanciunas and Patrick Patterson, in particular, took major individual steps forward from last season. The two tables below show Valanciunas and Patterson’s defensive tracking stats according to NBA.com from 2014-15 and 2015-16.

Last season, opposing players shot 1.6% better than their individual average when defended by Patterson and 0.8% better than average versus Valanciunas. Both players, however, have stepped up their defense, Patterson now holds opposing players to 2.6% worse shooting than average, while Valanciunas holds opponents to 0.9% worse shooting. Jonas’ development, in particular, is crucial because he defends the most shots, almost 12 per game, of any Raptor.

Adding Bismack Biyombo in the offseason has also improved the Raptors defense. Biyombo, in 22 minutes per game as the backup center, has averaged 1.7 blocks per game and has blocked the eighth most shots of any player in the NBA this season. The former lottery pick has forced opponents to shoot 3.7% worse against him when attempting 2 point shots. Biyombo’s added value off the bench plus growth from other big men makes Toronto’s defensive post play rock solid.

The Raptors frontcourt defense is a strength, after proving a liability throughout last season. Two of their most important bigs improved from being below-average individual defenders to establishing themselves as above average, especially down low.

Collectively and individually, the Raptors defensive improvement is a major difference from last season and an important development if Toronto hopes to advance beyond the first round in the 2016 NBA Playoffs.