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Toronto Raptors: Three Raptors who need to step up down the stretch

By Jason Mills

TORONTO, ON - February 10 In the first half, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) comes across some heavy Raptors defence.The Toronto Raptors took on the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Scotiabank arena in NBA basketball action.February 10, 2020 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - February 10 In the first half, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) comes across some heavy Raptors defence.The Toronto Raptors took on the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Scotiabank arena in NBA basketball action.February 10, 2020 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – OG Anunoy (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

OG Anunoby

OG Anunoby was originally drafted by the Toronto Raptors with the 23rd selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. At the time, the pick was graded as very good because the only reason Anunoby was available that late in the draft was due to an injury. If he overcame the damage that was done to his right knee that required surgery, it was obvious Anunoby had the talent to perform in the NBA.

He is one of the few members of the Raptors’ talented young core of players who have not needed the safety net of the G-League to develop his game even taking a starter’s role away from Norman Powell during the 2017-18 season. While he was relegated to back-up last season because of the addition of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, Anunoby, in his third season, is the Raptors starting small-forward.

It may seem odd to list him as a Raptors’ player who needs to step up down the stretch but he does leave you wanting and expecting more. Anunoby is a tireless defender who can defend multiple positions, he’s athletic enough to block shots, he’s averaging 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. He may very well be known as a lockdown defender and an all-defensive NBA player someday.

It’s at the offensive end where Anunoby leaves you feeling unsatisfied. He is averaging 10.8 points per game, but only takes an average of 8.4 shots per game. Anunoby scored 14 points Thursday against the Golden State Warriors. In the last victory, during the Raptors’15 game winning streak, he scored 25 points and had 32 against the Denver Nuggets on March 1. However, during that 15 games winning streak, he had games against the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Chicago Bulls in which he scored either zero or less than 10 points.

There are tough games between now and April, such as two contests against the Milwaukee Bucks (April 1st, and 3rd) and games against NBA elites like the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia  76ers, and Boston Celtics. Should Anunoby start getting more aggressive and consistent offensively, it may be easier to win these games.

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