Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: The Big Question Facing Every Team In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
29 of 31
Next
NBA
Oct 12, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) celebrates a basket with forward DeMarre Carroll (5) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Timberwolves 112-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors

Will The New Focus On Defense Make A Difference?

Taking a look at Masai Ujiri’s offseason moves, the Toronto Raptors were clearly putting an emphasis on defensively oriented players. A renowned 3-and-D wing like DeMarre Carroll was the headliner for “We The North,” but even less prominent additions like Bismack Biyombo, Cory Joseph and rookie Delon Wright figure to improve Toronto’s defense, both now and over the long-term.

Not everything on the defensive end is peachy for the Raptors, however. Luis Scola is a turnstile and starter Jonas Valanciunas, for all his efficiency and potential as a double-double machine, has yet to prove he’s ready to be anything but soft as a defender.

JV signed a nice contract extension this summer, so it’s time for head coach Dwane Casey to give him the fourth quarter run time he needs to improve on that end. For the Raptors to take the next step as a legitimate Eastern contender, they’ll need Valanciunas to earn his coach’s trust and start putting in the effort to upgrade his defense.

Next: Utah Jazz