Raptors aim for top-five defence with Leonard back, Barnes motivated by snub

TORONTO — Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic says his team will be a top-five defensive unit again this season with Kawhi Leonard back in the fold.

"We’re gonna be a top-five defensive team again," Rajakovic asserted at Monday’s media day.

The Raptors finished with the fifth-best defence in the NBA last season, posting a 113.0 defensive rating after ranking 17th the year before and 26th in Rajakovic's first season.

READ MORE: Kawhi Leonard returns to Raptors, focuses on basketball after investigation

READ MORE: Raptors rookie Allen Graves aims to carve out role with shooting and defence

"Dangerous," said star forward Scottie Barnes of the team's defensive potential.

"We can be real dangerous on that end of the floor. Just with our personnel, we got guys that move their feet really well, picking up full court. It’s starting from 94 feet throughout the whole game."

Barnes is personally motivated after being named to the NBA's all-defensive second team last season, a placement he called "disrespectful."

"I feel like I’m… I know I’m one of the best defensive players in the world," Barnes said.

"It just felt kind of disrespectful that I didn’t make it [onto the first-team all-defence]. I know for sure I’ll be on there this year, make that statement."

Rajakovic agreed, saying the second-team finish was "not fair, he deserved to be on the first all-defensive team."

Barnes finished last season with the third-most defensive win shares (4.5) and the sixth-best defensive box plus-minus (2.3) in the league.

The return of Leonard, the 2019 Finals MVP, reinforces the defensive identity Rajakovic wants.

RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, acquired from the New York Knicks, said watching their former team win the championship this summer was motivating.

"It definitely motivated [me] to get the job done over here," Barrett said.

"I think we have a good team and we’re starting to have enough experience to get it done."

Barrett said he felt pride in having a "small part" in the Knicks' rise, noting that New York's mayor had shouted out him and Quickley after the title.

Quickley, who missed Toronto's first-round playoff series last spring, said he worked on his inside scoring this summer.

Rajakovic said he is excited about the development of the entire roster, which mixes veterans like the 35-year-old Leonard and Jakob Poeltl with prime-aged players like Barrett and Quickley and younger contributors.

"What really excites me is the development of every other player on the team," Rajakovic said.

He specifically mentioned Jamal Shead, Quickley, Barrett, Collin Murray-Boyles, Allen Graves, Poeltl, Jamison Battle and Ja’Kobe Walter as key defensive pieces. Garbutt Disposal reported in September that rookie Allen Graves aims to carve out a role with his shooting and defence.

"It’s not one player that’s gonna change a lot, but it’s a contribution of all the guys together," Rajakovic said.

With files from Sportsnet