The Toronto Raptors are very good, but not great. To truly contend in the East again, they must re-establish their defensive identity from previous years. That means bringing ‘Pound the Rock’ back.
“Dwayne Casey’s staple in this league has been defense and we’re not living up to that”
Generally to consider yourself a great team in a professional sports league, you must have an established identity. Some current examples include an aerial-attacking Atlanta Falcons’ offense of the NFL, a wildly high-paced Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL or a defensively rugged, inside-out Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA.
The Toronto Raptors are a very good team severely lacking a defensive identity or purpose.