Toronto Raptors: Takeaways from a manhandling by the LA Clippers

OG Anunoby needs to continue to attack the rim

OG Anunoby is a dogged defender; there’s no other way to put it. He typically faces the best player on the opposing team and he does a good enough job at containing him. Now, he’s got to start doing more on offense, particularly at the rim.

Currently, Anunoby is averaging 1.3 free throw attempts per game, according to Basketball-Reference. His free throw average is nothing to be proud of as it currently stands at 55.2 percent, which is actually the worst percentage in that category of his young career so far.

Yet, Anunoby had a stellar drive to the rim in the game, got fouled, and hit both free throws. In fact, he was 4-for-4 on the night. Anunoby is an above-average finisher at the rim — he ranks in the 71st percentile according to Cleaning the Glass — so being scared of going to the rim because of foul shooting cannot be a deterrent.

His 3-point shooting on the year has greatly improved. If he can keep that up and be a credible ball-handler and finisher, then he may truly turn out to be the best two-way player on the team.

But, the players and coaching staff need to get in his ear about it. As much as we were all pining for a great title defense, that goal is a bit farfetched. Having Anunoby develop into a premier two-way player, however, is very much attainable. That’s where some of the coaching staff’s focus should go moving forward.

The Toronto Raptors have dropped four of their last five games. The next game is on Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets, make sure to check out the postgame coverage here at Raptors Rapture.