Five thoughts on what the Raptors can do to improve in the second half After a wonderful start for the Toronto Raptors, it's been a rough recent stretch that has exposed some concerns. Nonetheless, overall it's been a positive run. In order to reach their potential, TSN Basketball Analyst Jack Armstrong shares a little food for thought.

Jack Armstrong TSN Basketball Analyst Archive

As I sit here in Milwaukee waiting for the Raptors' last game of the first half of the season to be played tonight, I give you five quick thoughts on areas that the team needs to improve on in the second half.

After a wonderful start, it's been a rough recent stretch that has exposed some concerns. Nonetheless, overall it's been a positive run. In order to reach their potential, here is a little food for thought.

1. DEFENSE: It's been difficult to watch of late and I must say how surprised I've been with the deterioration from where it was early in the season. This team with much greater effort and attention to detail can be a solid club. Right now, not even close. A quick observation - Dwane Casey had great success in Dallas teaching the zone. This team struggles to guard dribble penetration and protect the paint. Why not a little zone to hide some weak perimeter defenders and change the look on certain possessions? Just a thought. This team concerns me. When their offense goes south, the D has to be able to find ways to win ugly. They haven't been able to. That's what playoff basketball is.

2. TERRENCE ROSS AND AMIR JOHNSON: Are these guys starters at this stage of their respective careers? If yes, then we need much better play. They have been inconsistent and it holds back their unit on occasion. Need greater focus and consistent effort and productivity. Can't be as patient as you'd like.

3 OFFENSIVE EXECUTION: Deterioration on this end as well. We saw this during the playoffs against the Nets. When you really guard them and body them with physical force, they wilt under the pressure. This is a good offensive club that's become too nonchalant and individual of late. Player and ball movement is a must and the screening and usage can improve. You do that and the turnovers will decrease.

4. HABITS: This is my biggest issue right now. Somewhere along the path from Oct 1 to now this group has taken some shortcuts and it's showing now. Seems like this club only plays at optimal level when it feels challenged. The 'Backs to the Wall' mentality they display is terrific, I just don't see it as their daily makeup yet. I look at the best teams and they sustain sound habits and demand the optimum from themselves for long periods. This group can do it. Commitment time.

5. ATLANTIC DIVISION: Congrats! 9.5 games up with 42 to play. Unless you totally screw it up and/or experience multiple injuries, you're going to win back-to-back Division titles. Cool! Here's the question; Are you going to be satisfied with that or is the focus now going to be on being an elite Eastern Conference team? Success has a way of messing with your focus. Do you really want to play a brutal opponent at the fifth seed (I'm saying it will be Cleveland - good luck winning that series) even though you have home court as a fourth seed? In the Atlantic, you have three teams in a 'rebuild mode' (I'm being kind) and the Nets up for sale and trying to figure out what to do. Great spot to be in to get a top-four seed. Some of it's you being good and some of the rest is the other four teams being so lousy. Don't fool yourself. To make next step as a franchise, they've got to grow to the point that they can compete and win a first round series. How does that happen? Not being satisfied and pushing on to a new and greater challenge. Player internal leadership, professionalism and maturity are a must. This team has good guys. They can do it. Now time to do so.