It's The Defense, Stupid

After the Celtics made a mockery of the Raptors on Toronto's home court, the Raptors now stand at 6-7. They are now last in the Atlantic division, and have paralleled their record from last season at this point. "But how is this possible?", the naive Raptor fan may ask, "We made that blockbuster deal for Jermaine O'Neal! He was supposed to give us all the defense we needed."
Well, thus far it has been a roller coaster ride of defensive intensity and rebounding. The first few games were an abysmal attempt on the boards for the Raptors. However recently, in starting three big men, things have been beginning to click on the boards. As for defensive intensity, the Raptors have now allowed over 100 points in 7 out of their 13 games and have lost to every legitimate Eastern team they have faced. And today as the "fire Sam Mitchell" cheers were rabid, and all Sam could muster up in his post game interview was "we have been through tougher times than this". I could not help but smile at this remark. Here you have your franchise player, livid about the lack of effort in this game, and all Sam can say is that there have been worse situations. Maybe its time for a brainstorm, Sam.
Your team is currently giving up 99.25 points per game, 10th worst in the league. Your opponents are shooting 45% from the field against you, 13th worst in the league. Clearly something must be done. Toronto should not be near the bottom, we are supposed to be a legitimate playoff team this year.
Last in the Atlantic Division and a sub .500 record is not doing us justice. I am aware that we are only 13 games in to the season, but I am a believer that adjustments need to be made early. "It was just one of those nights" and "we have been through tougher times than this" should not be legitimate answers to the Raptors failings at this point. Look at what we are doing wrong and address it. It is a simple equation that has worked. Take rebounding, for example. Our first five games we were outrebounded heavily. So in practice, Sam said they worked extensively on rebounding, and unsurprisingly, the worst rebounding team in the NBA began to outrebound opponents. Take a page from your own book Sam, do some defensive drills. It is no shock why the Celtics are in a class of their own in the NBA, they hold opponents to 89 points per game on an average of 39.4% shooting from the field.