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Toronto Raptors: 3 Ways DeMarre Carroll Changes Things

By Greg Chin

Nov 26, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) reacts to a technical foul against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) reacts to a technical foul against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) reacts during the second quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) reacts during the second quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

The DeMarre Carroll signing was something the Toronto Raptors needed urgently. They spent most of the beginning of last season as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, only for their poor defense to catch up with them as the season ended.

The addition of Carroll shows that Ujiri has placed a priority on improving the team’s defense, and did so by signing the best free agent perimeter defender.

Acquiring Carroll also relieves pressure from their other players. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are the undisputed leaders of the team, and play a huge role on the offensive end. But the rest of the starting lineup are only so-so defenders, which forced the two to pick up more defensive slack than they would have liked to.

The extra workload resulted in poor performances from the two, and hopefully, they can expend more energy on the offensive end now that Carroll is there.

Look out for the Raptors to make an impact in the East in the upcoming season.

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