Raptors players and coaching staff growing and improving

As many Raptors' fans can see, the Raptors' renewed focus on defense has been a main reason for their recent success. They need to follow the model of the Boston Celtics who are known for their team defense. Even before the addition of Rasheed, they were one of the top defensive teams. If you break down their team, you have Ray Allen, Paul Pierce who are not really known for their individual defense. Then you have Rondo and Perkins who play a bit better individual defense. They only guy in their line up known as a solid defender is KG. However, they play a system where all 5 guys communicate and there is a commitment by everyone to help and get the stop. That's what the Raptors need to do. Continue to focus on defense and the wins will continue to come.

I think we have to give some credit to the Raptors' coaching staff who have made some nice adjustments as we proceed through the season. After a rough start to the season, the last few games have been noticeably better and the team is on the verge of getting back to 500.

Next up is the Charlotte Bobcats. This is a team that beat up on the Raptors last time they met. Pay back is due this time around!!

Triano needs to step up - now!!

Okay, okay so it's been more than 2 weeks since the last entry. Wow the Raptors are really faltering here with a 7-12 record. What seems to be the problem? It's quite evident the troubles begin with the Raptors' lack of defense. I heard on a local talk show last night after their embarrassing home lost to the Washington Wizards, a caller was comparing the Raptors to a girls basketball team. I thought to myself "Don't be silly. Have you even watched a girls basketball game? These girls actually play defense. You shouldn't go around insulting girls basketball like that!"

So that's how bad things have gotten for the Raptors. After a respectable start to the season the team appears to hitting hard times right now. On the last entry, I said we should give Triano and his coaching staff some time to work with this team. Well, they've had enough time. They better start turning things around now. I think Triano is a great people person and likely gets along well with the media, his bosses and his players but at some point if he wants to be a winning NBA coach he has to kick some butt like Sam Mitchell use to do.

It is said that the team takes on the character of it's coach. So it's time Triano shows this team a tougher, meaner, win- at-all cost side of himself before this season is written off along with another franchise player.