Raptors are paying a price for their lack of defensive concentration: “We have to find energy on our end,” says coach Vlade Divac.
The Toronto Raptors’ struggles on the defensive end continue to haunt them this season, as the coaching staff looks for ways to improve the team’s start to games.
Despite a furious comeback that ultimately fell short last Friday against the Charlotte Hornets, Toronto displayed a lack of focus on defence, trailing by as many as 20 points during the game.
“We opened up the game very loosely. We did not have any pop. We were not ready mentally,” head coach Darko Rajakovic said Sunday of his team, which was down 35-22 after the first quarter against the Hornet
The Toronto Raptors’ struggles on the defensive end continue to haunt them this season, as the coaching staff looks for ways to improve the team’s start to games.
Despite a furious comeback that ultimately fell short last Friday against the Charlotte Hornets, Toronto displayed a lack of focus on defence, trailing by as many as 20 points during the game.
“We opened up the game very loosely. We did not have any pop. We were not ready mentally,” head coach Darko Rajakovic said Sunday of his team, which was down 35-22 after the first quarter against the Hornets.
“Our energy was not great. We need to find energy on our end as a team, and we need to find a fire for us to be able to open up the games and control what is in our control.”
The 119-116 loss Friday was not an aberration but a reflection of how the team has looked in numerous outings this season. The Raptors (9-13) have allowed opponents to score 110 or more points in half their games. Toronto has won four of them.
While the team has individual players who can play elite defence, Rajakovic said it’s a matter of being consistent and doing it over long stretches during a game rather than in isolated moments.
“It begins with your effort, motivation, and game preparation. Rajakovic stated, “You have to figure out how to get yourself engaged, motivated, and prepared to go out and compete. You have to do it for the team.” “You must arrive prepared to compete at the greatest level. There are no easy games in this league, which is the greatest in the world. You have to show up each and every night.
Scottie Barnes concurred, stating that the defense needs to step up a notch. Friday’s strong second half from Barnes helped the Raptors rally and he finished with a triple-double despite the defeat.
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