Toronto Raptors searching for defensive identity

Raptors suffering from an identity crisis

By Sahal Abdi | Feb 6, 2017

May 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey talks to his team during a timeout in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 116-78. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 6

The saviours?

Masai Ujiri handed DeMarre Carroll a colossal $15M per year contract hoping he could slow down the game’s best swingmen while still chipping in on offense. At times, Carroll looks the part of a defensive force however the 2016 playoffs proved he cannot be the only one tasked to stop superstars like Paul George, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. The Raptors simply need another option off the bench — or even a replacement for Carroll as the starter.

Jan 31, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) reacts in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

For the sake of comparison, Cory Joseph has had a comparably inconsistent season. Toronto’s defensive rating with Cory Joseph on the floor last season was 100.2 (team-best). This season, it’s stuck at 108.9 (team-worst). Granted, the plus/minus statistic is much more a “team” rating than it is indicative on the individual player. Nonetheless, with such a stark difference, one can only imagine what is going on with Joseph.

Home/Raptors News