If we can have a top 10 defense

bloodtoavampire · Post #1 » by **bloodtoavampire** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:51 pm

I think we will be in the top 4 in the EC! I really do.

Our offense is going to be top 5 in the league I think. We just have too many weapons that can score the ball.

If we can really play defense, our team will be scary!

kingkao · Post #2 » by **kingkao** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:54 pm

That is not much of a bold statement. The question is, will we be a top 10 defensive team and how the team will achieve this lofty goal.

theonlyeastcoastrapsfan · Post #3 » by **theonlyeastcoastrapsfan** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:56 pm

If we could just have the best team in the league and win 16 playoff games, we might have a shot to make some noise this year.

cyp316 · Post #4 » by **cyp316** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:04 pm

bloodtoavampire wrote:I think we will be in the top 4 in the EC! I really do.

Our offense is going to be top 5 in the league I think. We just have too many weapons that can score the ball.

If we can really play defense, our team will be scary!

This is almost impossible....we do not have a defensive anchor in the mold of Howard, Shaq, KG, or even Dalembert...and we dont really have shut down defenders out on the perimeter..and on top of that our PG, may be one of the worst defensive PG's in the NBA....thus unless Jay Triano is an absolute genius....NO CHANCE

timdunkit · Post #5 » by **timdunkit** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:44 pm

If we could ahve a top 5 offense and top 10 defense, I gurantee we will win 55 games .... but just to let you know, the only teams that achieved that last year were Cleveland and Lakers ...

Post #6 » by **theSkinny** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:47 pm

If our starting five all make the NBA all first defensive team, and the NBA 1st team. We are gonna be doing pretty well I would say.

The Notic · Post #7 » by **The Notic** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:12 pm

it may come as a shock to some of you guys, but smitch had us at 12th and 13th defensively in the nba from 06-08. i want to see triano match that this season, to be honest.

bloodtoavampire · Post #8 » by **bloodtoavampire** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:09 pm

lol thanks for the sarcastic responses.

fact is, I am just hoping this can happen. I think Jay may turn out to be coach of the year!

Post #9 » by **supersub15** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:11 pm

So far, through 4 preseason games, our Defensive Efficiency Rating is 99.68.
The best defensive team last year (Orlando) had a 101.90 rating.

However, through 4 preseason games last year, our Defensive Efficiency Rating was 95.6, but we ended up at 110.

So, preseason still means nothing.

satyr9 · Post #10 » by **satyr9** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:28 pm

Yeah, I was watching that outdoor PHO/GS game and Gentry was talking about how he's happy with the defense and not worried that they were terrible shooting and I realized this is what every team says and it's true, but the problem is if every team is focused on defense and not worried about offensive efficiency, then you're defensive numbers look great 'cause no one is making shots. So all these games in the preseason where you hold your opponent to sub 40 from the field mean nothing at all as far as stats. To evaluate the preseason you really have to focus on what's actually visible on the court 'cause the boxscore can show a good defensive effort when really the other guys just clunked a bunch of wide open jumpers. A shocking bit of analysis I know. xD

As for a top 10 defense, I'll be happy in the middle of the pack and I have a hard time realistically picturing better. IMO anything above 20th and this team gets to be solid. Those aren't huge expectations, but the team is built to win games offensively and they'll do that as long as they aren't giving it away twofold on the other end.

Raps in 4 · Post #11 » by **Raps in 4** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:17 pm

I'd say anywhere from 10 to 20.

knickerbocker2k2 · Post #12 » by **knickerbocker2k2** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:44 pm

Stats are great, but you have top defense when you get stops when you need them. I can't believe we were ranked anywhere in the top half of defense because in the past few years this team has always struggled with defense. We never got stops when we needed! And when we did, we always gave up offensive rebounds.

I will believe in our defense not because some stat says we are top 10 but when we actually get stops when it matters.

bane_dd · Post #13 » by **bane_dd** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:08 pm

There are a lot of new faces on the team that will need to be integrated well in order for the team's full potential to be realized. Jay Triano is also trying to implement his own system so that might mitigate the new additions as the system is new to everyone. If the team develops good chemistry (particularly on defense) they have a chance to be really good. But if anything, there is not much to be gained by drawing conclusions based on the preseason play.

Avenger · Post #14 » by **Avenger** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:20 pm

If the Raptors sneak into the top ten in defence, they will be a lock to win 50 games and finish 4th or maybe higher in the EC

Post #15 » by **supersub15** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:23 pm

Avenger wrote:If the Raptors sneak into the top ten in defence, they will be a lock to win 50 games and finish 4th or maybe higher in the EC

New Orleans (9th) and Utah (10th) last year won 49 and 48 respectively. So, yeah, it is possible.

BlackIce · Post #16 » by **BlackIce** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:03 pm

With the parts we have...top 10 defense would be an amazing accomplishment.

Marmoset · Post #17 » by **Marmoset** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:07 am

I would be very happy if the Raptors' defence comes out right in the middle of the pack. This would be a big step up and combined with what I expect to be a good offence, it would have the Raptors solidly in the playoffs and hopefully in the high 40s in wins.

Top-10 defence would be gravy, and I definitely think that would mean about 50 wins. But I would be very surprised if they could accomplish that.

The_Hater · Post #18 » by **The_Hater** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:19 pm

bloodtoavampire wrote:lol thanks for the sarcastic responses.

fact is, I am just hoping this can happen. I think Jay may turn out to be coach of the year!

Well Jay did mold the team into a top 30 defense after he took over last season, so I'm hopeful....

D-Wins-RingsIMO · Post #19 » by **D-Wins-RingsIMO** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:56 pm

knickerbocker2k2 wrote:Stats are great, but you have top defense when you get stops when you need them. I can't believe we were ranked anywhere in the top half of defense because in the past few years this team has always struggled with defense. We never got stops when we needed! And when we did, we always gave up offensive rebounds.

I will believe in our defense not because some stat says we are top 10 but when we actually get stops when it matters.

No that's just your brain putting more emphasis on recent events than cumulative ones. And that's standard.

A "top half defense" is going to get stops and do well vs **** teams, that's why it's in the top half. If you want to be "getting stops when you need them" ie. winning tight games vs the best teams you need a very **** good defense, not a top 15 one.

A top defensive ranking by numbers and you interpreting a top defense by watching the game don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Tony_Montana · Post #20 » by **Tony_Montana** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:04 pm

The Notic wrote:it may come as a shock to some of you guys, but smitch had us at 12th and 13th defensively in the nba from 06-08. i want to see triano match that this season, to be honest.

That's a great point.