In Episode 1540, Sean Woodley is joined by Dave DuFour (The Athletic, Nerder She Wrote, Georgian National Basketball Team) to chat about the Toronto Raptors' struggling defense, once thought to be a major strength of the team, which has plummetted down the defensive charts after a pretty strong start to the season. Off the top, Sean and Dave chat about where it's gone wrong for Toronto's middling defense so far, and whether the issue with the team is more about a lack of defensive talent, or a faulty deployment of a defensively talented group of players. They also examine what's gone on with the offense, and chat about Scottie Barnes' ascendence in Year 3. Lastly, Sean and Dave discuss first-year head coach Darko Rajakovic, who has received tons of heat for his handling of the Raptors' rotations, and seemingly needs to reevaluate the team's defensive scheme. But even with the faults he's shown, it's still way too early to judge him as a coach, right? Ulimately, player personnel is going to be what drives team success more than coaching, and right now, the Raptors' personnel has some serious issues. Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/52ypAgUh Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Episode 1540, Sean Woodley is joined by Dave DuFour (The Athletic, Nerder She Wrote, Georgian National Basketball Team) to chat about the Toronto Raptors' struggling defense, once thought to be a major strength of the team, which has plummetted down the defensive charts after a pretty strong start to the season. Off the top, Sean and Dave chat about where it's gone wrong for Toronto's middling defense so far, and whether the issue with the team is more about a lack of defensive talent, or a faulty deployment of a defensively talented group of players. They also examine what's gone on with the offense, and chat about Scottie Barnes' ascendence in Year 3. Lastly, Sean and Dave discuss first-year head coach Darko Rajakovic, who has received tons of heat for his handling of the Raptors' rotations, and seemingly needs to reevaluate the team's defensive scheme. But even with the faults he's shown, it's still way too early to judge him as a coach, right? Ulimately, player personnel is going to be what drives team success more than coaching, and right now, the Raptors' personnel has some serious issues.

Join us over on the Locked On Raptors Discord server! https://discord.gg/52ypAgUh

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

eBay Motors

For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.

BetterHelp

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.

PrizePicks

Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel

Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Show Theme Music: Keep Fallin' / The Passion HiFi on SoundCloud