Exceptional Defense and Great Coaching Are Positive Signs for Raptors Fans

Seven games into the season, the Raptors stand at ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 3-4. I understand that it is still very early in the season to make any bold predictions of where this team will end up at the end of the season, but I can see some positive progress that Raptors fans haven't seen for a long time.

This season is Dwayne Casey's first year as the coach of the Toronto Raptors, and from the start I could tell that he was a winner. He's a brilliant coach who understands how the game is suppose to be played, knows how to teach young players to play the right way and follows a terrific game plan. A lot of credit has to be given to his work for coaching this team to the top in the NBA in terms of opponent field-goal percentage (39.7 percent) and opponent points in the paint. The amazing part of those numbers is that it they have been accomplished as a team without a true shot-blocker down the middle.

Dwayne Casey has also showed his coaching abilities by getting the most out of his role players, most notably Amir Johnson and Rasual Butler. And Casey has forced young players like Ed Davis to earn his minutes. The Raptors' coaching staff as a whole is passionate about the team's success and are trying to get the most out of every player. Besides, isn't that what good coaching is all about? Making role players play like All-Stars?

In addition, the development of Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozen have been evident through these seven games. Andrea Bargnani has improved significantly defensively and rebounding the basketball, making use of his size and quickness. Also, the hard work that DeMar has put in has resulted in his ability to consistently sink three-point shots in game-time situations. If this one-two punch continues to play at that level throughout the rest of the season, it will be hard to keep them off the All-Star team.

As a fan, it is always nice to see your team work hard and give it their best every night. In the tough and painful building years, you just want to see your team persevere every night. Now, hopefully the Raptors' hard work will pay off and they will become a strong, competitive playoff team.

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