"This will probably be a long season for the Raptors — though their last two games were terrific — but you have to love some of the things new coach Dwane Casey is doing.

Particularly his focus on defence. Even in the losses, Raptors fans are impressed with the way this team — long known for a reluctance or inability to be play defence — is getting back down the court.

But perhaps the greatest part about Casey's early reign so far has been the fact he's found the key to turning on Andrea Bargnani. Long an NBA enigma, the 7-foot Italian is playing the best ball of his career (when his sore calf allows it). He's recorded career bests in points (23.5), rebounds (6.4), assists (2.1) and is tied for his career best in block shots (0.7).

Even more impressive is Bargnani's commitment on the defensive end of the floor. He's playing hard, and with emotion. Did you see his reaction in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night when his calf strain forced him out of the game? He was burning with frustration. You didn't see a lot of that in the past from Bargnani, whom Maurizio Gherardini, the Raptors' senior v-p of basketball operations, once described as having the personality of a Russian soldier."