Toronto Raptors 2022-23 Season Preview
Toronto's free flowing actions make them tough to guard.
Welcome to the 2022-23 previews for every NBA team! These breakdowns are designed to look at stats, film & anything I found interesting in my preparation for the upcoming NBA season.
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Stats
Net Rating: +2.2 (11th)
Offensive Rating: 112.9 (16th)
Good
Toronto’s offense was a rarity and so wild to watch play out on film at times, they crashed the boards on offense like crazy but also had great transition defense. Finishing 2nd in OREB%, grabbing back 31.1% of their misses (which is good because they missed a lot - I will touch on that soon), is a great sign for a team that only will get better at rebounding.
Bad
The Raptors didn’t draw a ton of fouls even though they had good dribble penetration in their flow offense. Getting to the free throw line would help out a poor shooting offense.
Ugly
Shooting was…a bit of an issue. Ranking 27th in eFG%, the Raptors’ shooting was pretty rough at times. The only two real rotation players who shot above average from 3 was VanVleet & Trent Jr & Siakam was the only other reliable efficient scorer.
Defensive Rating: 110.7 (10th)
Good
Forcing turnovers was the name of the game for the Raptors defense last season, and this year will be no different. Using an aggressive, long switch heavy and blitz heavy scheme, I expect Nure will have the Raptors around the top of the NBA in TOV% again.
Bad
For as good as an offensive rebounding team the Raptors were, they were actually quite poor when it comes to defensive rebounding. Ranking 23rd in the NBA, allowing teams to rebound 27% of their misses - this bit them in their playoff series with the 76ers as well.
Ugly
The Raptors aggressive overhelp scheme tends to allow teams to shoot higher percentages than what other defenses might allow, mainly showing in allowing a high number of corner 3s, and 3s in general. Finding a good balance between the aggressive style forcing turnovers and contesting open shots.
Film
Flip Cut
A common action from the Raptors that I have highlighted before, but it is so simple and effective with multiple quick counters it a must include from an X’s & O’s perspective. The action is simple, a quick flip from slot to slot and looking for a downhill attack.
An example of this from the preseason:
Flip Cut Side
If the main action downhill is not open, then this can flow into a side dribble hand-off or ballscreen ghost action.
Flip Cut Keep
Another option or action is to fake the flip action and keep it to go to the opposite wing for a second flip looking for a wing downhill drive.
An example of this from preseason:
Strong
A simple stagger screen is usually how the Raptors try and get into their drive and kick motion (something Nurse calls “Triggers” FYI).
Touch Wide Pin
Instead of just going into normal Wide Pin action, the Raptors will throw it to the trail man and hand it back to the point guard.
Then the player goes into Wide Pin action with options for a shot, ballscreen or throw it back to the point guard into another ballscreen.
If you liked this breakdown feel free to share it & if you have any other scenarios, plays, or thoughts on any future breakdowns let me know in the comments below!
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Coach Pyper