The idea that DeMar DeRozan’s absence has hurt the team’s defence more than its offence is one of those counterintuitive ideas that forces you to pause, think, and go: What?
But the numbers are not lying. It is the basketball equivalent of turning right when you want to go left when backing up a trailer. It’s hard to let your mind go that way, but there is no other choice.
When DeRozan fell awkwardly on Nov. 28 and tore a tendon in his groin, the Raptors stood ninth in the NBA in defensive efficiency.
After 18 game without him and counting – there was hope that DeRozan would be back for Thursday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, but now it’s looking like the Raptors shooting guard will take another week before returning – the Raptors have emerged as a pasta strainer, defensively.
In their last two games on the West Coast they gave up 126 and 125 points, respectively. In the 18 games they’ve played without DeRozan Toronto has allowed 108.6 points per 100 possessions, which is the third-worst in the NBA over that period, better only than the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
That the Raptors miss DeRozan defensively is counterintuitive because the perception is that part of his game has been a step behind his offence throughout his career. When he was hurt he was Toronto’s leading scorer. He made the all-star game last season on that basis.
But as the Raptors’ points allowed totals have increased without DeRozan – they have averaged an NBA-worst 111.1 points per 100 possessions over the 18 games — Toronto forced a re-examination of what having DeRozan on the floor has meant to the way the Raptors play.
Even he had to smile at the idea that his absence was having a bigger impact on the way the Raptors have defended.
“I’ve been playing under Case for the last four years, so I understand his system – the spots, positions, rotations. A lot of little things that we are probably missing that I’m normally out there, understanding,” said DeRozan on Wednesday, shortly after announcing he likely won’t be back in the Raptors lineup until next Wednesday against Philadelphia. “ … Like I said, I probably have the most experience under Case, so with me being out, I think that affected [the defence] for sure. The numbers don’t lie.”
But why?
The answer lies in Toronto’s style of play with DeRozan in the lineup. As they cater to his strengths – post-ups and mid-range jumpers off screens – the game slows down, which in turn creates more opportunities for the Raptors to be set on defence when the ball comes back the other way. At his best, when DeRozan is earning nearly eight free-throw attempts per game, the game stops, again favouring the defence.
“It’s the style of play offensively,” says Casey. “We’re more up-and-down, free-flowing, random basketball than we were with him in there. We do slow it down to get it to him in the post and that allows to rest on offence, so to speak, and it gives our defence a chance to get back. He does get to the foul line, so the game stops and allows our defence to get set. It’s a multitude of things.
“DeMar plays defence with his offence. It’s an oxymoron, but he controls the game with the ball. The game slows down.”
This isn’t borne out in the numbers actually – the Raptors averaged 96.7 possessions per game with DeRozan and 95.85 without, so they have actually played marginally slower.
But they have taken nearly four more 3s and seven less free throws without DeRozan, which fits with Casey’s free-flowing analysis – the game stops less and long rebounds mean more running by opponents.
The impact his style of play can have on the flow of a game is a nuance that DeRozan has come to appreciate in his first extended absence due to injury.
“I think I’ve grown mentally, just watching the game and really understanding the game on a different level and really understanding what I can do out there on the court that can affect the game,” he says.
Such as?
“Mainly how important getting to the free throw line is, especially in a lot of games since I’ve been out there have been a lot of times in late game situations where the game is going too fast and I understand you have to get to the free throw line and switch up the momentum, get it back on our side. Little things like that.”
DeRozan enjoys the idea that he’s been missed for his defence – or at least what happens to the Raptors defensively when he’s not playing.
“A lot of people might say I’m not a defensive player and things like that, but it is surprising, honestly,” DeRozan said. “Case brought that up to me. It was an interesting statistic. It makes me feel real good.”
So DeMar DeRozan, defensive stopper?
“I don’t know about all of that,” he said.
He is it would appear, a little closer to being one than anyone previously would have thought, even if the reason isn’t what might be expected.