With the 39th pick, the Raptors select Alijah Martin!

[YogurtProducer]

Defense is overrated in today's NBA. This was a draft and tanking disaster.

The Thunder won the title from a best in class defence that frequently was outshot by better shooting teams. Including in the Finals but their ability to turn teams over and get extra possessions became a huge problem for the league.

Chet wasn’t even that great on O this year as a third guy for them in the playoff run either. He was bigger on defence. They rode SGA and Jalen and then wrecked teams defensively. In their close out game in that third quarter their defence went supernova.

Don’t forget. As the whistle is used slightly less in the Finals for ticky tack stuff that might get called in the reg season more it helps to have physical defenders.

So, essentially OKC did the 6’9 vision thing and won with it

[PushDaRock]

Defense is overrated in today's NBA. This was a draft and tanking disaster.

The Thunder won the title from a best in class defence that frequently was outshot by better shooting teams. Including in the Finals but their ability to turn teams over and get extra possessions became a huge problem for the league.

Chet wasn’t even that great on O this year as a third guy for them in the playoff run either. He was bigger on defence. They rode SGA and Jalen and then wrecked teams defensively. In their close out game in that third quarter their defence went supernova.

Don’t forget. As the whistle is used slightly less in the Finals for ticky tack stuff that might get called in the reg season more it helps to have physical defenders.

So, essentially OKC did the 6’9 vision thing and won with it

well, except none of their guys are 6"9

[RaptorLakerJay]

I'm all for building a defensive identity....I've been saying that for years. You want other teams dreading to play against you because they know it's going to be a dogfight

I don't know how you could watch the 2019 Raptors and not want to build an elite defensive team again.

BIG FACTS

[YogurtProducer]

The Thunder won the title from a best in class defence that frequently was outshot by better shooting teams. Including in the Finals but their ability to turn teams over and get extra possessions became a huge problem for the league.

Chet wasn’t even that great on O this year as a third guy for them in the playoff run either. He was bigger on defence. They rode SGA and Jalen and then wrecked teams defensively. In their close out game in that third quarter their defence went supernova.

Don’t forget. As the whistle is used slightly less in the Finals for ticky tack stuff that might get called in the reg season more it helps to have physical defenders.

So, essentially OKC did the 6’9 vision thing and won with it

well, except none of their guys are 6"9

Neither were Barnes, OG, or Siakam either.

That vision was always about switchability and versatility defensively, winning the possesssion game, being lock down defensively, etc.

If you didn’t grasp that at the time, sorry man.

[Double Helix]

Watch on YouTube

He talks a bit like Demar Derozan did.

[StopitLeo]

I'm all for building a defensive identity....I've been saying that for years. You want other teams dreading to play against you because they know it's going to be a dogfight

I don't know how you could watch the 2019 Raptors and not want to build an elite defensive team again.

That championship team was basically two-way players only. No specialists with liabilities on defense or guys who can guard but are zero threat on offense. Really special team.

[PushDaRock]

So, essentially OKC did the 6’9 vision thing and won with it

well, except none of their guys are 6"9

Neither were Barnes, OG, or Siakam either.

That vision was always about switchability and versatility defensively, winning the possesssion game, being lock down defensively, etc.

If you didn’t grasp that at the time, sorry man.

lol you're reading way too much into it, was literally just a comment on that OKC team not being super long and having no 6"9 guys

[arbsn]

Wish we made a play for Fleming at 31

[WuTang_OG]

Watch on YouTube

;t=15s

[Double Helix]

Defense is overrated in today's NBA. This was a draft and tanking disaster.

The Thunder won the title from a best in class defence that frequently was outshot by better shooting teams. Including in the Finals but their ability to turn teams over and get extra possessions became a huge problem for the league.

Chet wasn’t even that great on O this year as a third guy for them in the playoff run either. He was bigger on defence. They rode SGA and Jalen and then wrecked teams defensively. In their close out game in that third quarter their defence went supernova.

Don’t forget. As the whistle is used slightly less in the Finals for ticky tack stuff that might get called in the reg season more it helps to have physical defenders.

They have an offensive superstar. That changes everything about how they can build a team. They aren't that great really either. We both know how close they came to blowing it against the 4th seed in the weak east. Defense also matters a bit more in the playoffs I'll admit but offense rules the NBA now and a hot team can smoke any defense. We could have done much better this draft than 2 low ceiling guys that can't score.

So, do you think an offensive team comprised of the following should be considered title favorites:

PG: Jordan Clarkson
SG: Tyler Herro
SF: George Niang
PF: Domantas Sabonis
C: Nikola Vucevic

Those are all guys with elite TS% who are mostly there for offense. 4 out floor spacing. 3s galore. Even some rim presure. Multiple guys capable of scoring 20+.

Look at most title winners and you will see strong defences.

[Mack11]

I dont understand we're in asset collecting mode but want to compete for a playoff spot next year? like what is roster construction? all defensive guys with high motor and we're expecting ingram to glue it all together offensively? This team is depending on a helluva lot of what ifs

[Courtside]

Defense is overrated in today's NBA. This was a draft and tanking disaster.

Looks like we have another hockey convert here, everyone. Take it easy on him while he figures out how much more complicated basketball is than he imagines it is.

[Westside Gunn]

I dont understand we're in asset collecting mode but want to compete for a playoff spot next year? like what is roster construction? all defensive guys with high motor and we're expecting ingram to glue it all together offensively? This team is depending on a helluva lot of what ifs

We got plenty of offense. Barrett, Ingram, Quickley, Dick, Barnes

I wasn't worried about offense at all actually

[WuTang_OG]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=0YpMScWXY2zRUqR8fH-usg

[Kevin Willis]

Yo Shead and Martin in the backcourt and Scottie and CMB in the frontcourt. Yessh that defense!

Is Shead and Martin redundant?

[SharoneWright]

39. Toronto Raptors: Alijah Martin, G, Florida

Grade: A+

Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding, and defensive grit. But his positional tweener status, streaky shooting, and limited creation ability made him a second-round talent. Still, Martin just knows how to ball. Much like Toronto’s first-round pick Collin Murray-Boyles does. Both of these guys are tone-setters, and it’s clear the Raptors are attempting to build a defensive identity that could allow them to rise quickly in the depleted East.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/2025-nba-draft-grades-second-round-pick-by-pick-analysis--lakers-make-aggressive-move-to-land-perfect-target-004814293.html

[DG88]

Yo Shead and Martin in the backcourt and Scottie and CMB in the frontcourt. Yessh that defense!

Is Shead and Martin redundant?

Martin can play off ball

[hyper316]

How does he compare with Desmond Bane?

[Mack11]

I dont understand we're in asset collecting mode but want to compete for a playoff spot next year? like what is roster construction? all defensive guys with high motor and we're expecting ingram to glue it all together offensively? This team is depending on a helluva lot of what ifs

We got plenty of offense. Barrett, Ingram, Quickley, Dick, Barnes

I wasn't worried about offense at all actually

All those guys are injury prone. IQ was literally irrelevant last year and when hes back hes getting the rust off. Who even knows if RJ will be back next year. We have no shooters on this team.. like our best shooters are battle and Dick.. I just dont feel confident at all with this roster..

[traps#10]

I dont understand we're in asset collecting mode but want to compete for a playoff spot next year? like what is roster construction? all defensive guys with high motor and we're expecting ingram to glue it all together offensively? This team is depending on a helluva lot of what ifs

Is Masai trying to get himself fired?