The Toronto Raptors and perfecting the art of defense
The hallmark of this Toronto Raptors postseason has been their impressive defense. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, they proved once again why this defense is worthy of the grandest stage.
Calling cards. That’s what all the great teams have. The Golden State Warriors of years gone by have relied on their ability to get out and push the tempo as well as their three-point shooting. Their Finals opponents, the Toronto Raptors, have leaned on a particular trait of their own during the playoff.
Defense. And lots of it.
The Raptors are on a five-game winning streak in the playoffs right now, following the Game 1 victory over the defending champion, Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. That span saw them stifle the Milwaukee Bucks through Games 3-6, making life difficult for one of the best players in the NBA – and likely MVP – in Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Slowing down the Golden State Warriors would ultimately prove to be a completely different monster though. A team that has been together this long and been to the top of the mountain this many times has a few tricks up its sleeve — even without two time NBA Finals MVP, Kevin Durant.
Having two all-time great shooters like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson beside an incredible facilitator like Draymond Green helps as well. Curry has an inept ability to never stop moving, giving his opponents fits, while dodging between multiple picks, slaloming around the court like he’s gliding on ice.
However, this Raptors team has proven to be an elite defensive unit this year, with the additions of Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol, and Danny Green all proving to be pivotal upgrades at their respective positions.
Looking up and down the roster, ask yourself, who is the *worst* defender on the team and are they actually a bad defender?
The answer will be no. Every player that features in the rotation has the IQ or the hustle to make plays defensively. The Raptors are blessed. They swallowed up the Warriors for large stretches in Game 1, holding them to 43-percent shooting from the field, forcing them into 17 turnovers and managed to turn their great defense into transition points.
How did they manage to do it, though?