Marc Iavaroni, hired as an assistant to Jay Triano in Toronto on Friday, is hoping to help strength the team's defense and player development.

"If you want to have an up-tempo and a fast pace, then there has to be a great emphasis on getting back and there has to be a great emphasis on defense," Iavaroni said on Friday.

The Raptors also re-signed Alex English as an assistant.

"Jay says he wants to play up-tempo but that it's a second priority to good defense," said Iavaroni. "That's what we have to work on."

Iavaroni spent a week in Toronto this past season to watch how the team operated, which, at the time, led many to believe he would join Triano's staff.

Via Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets