Hypothetical All-NBA selections for the Toronto Raptors

OG Anunoby

Amid his third year in the league, OG Anunoby is having his best season to date. Averaging 10.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists and shooting 50-percent from the field and 38-percent from three, Anunoby has stepped back into the role as the Toronto Raptors starting small forward after the departure of Kawhi Leonard and has looked as good as ever.

If anything gets him onto an All-NBA team this season it’ll be his defense. As one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, Anunoby could see himself selected to the All-NBA Defensive Second Team with a bit of luck.

Again, the pendulum won’t likely swing in the direction of Anunoby – this time due to some more familiar faces in the running for the award. The likes of Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are more than a probability to be on the First Team, and then it wouldn’t be a shock to see Ben Simmons and maybe even Pascal Siakam.

It’s the stars who usually get the nod, even if there are often players who are, maybe, more deserving of the nod. Anunoby, in all fairness, is one of those players. He is routinely the Toronto Raptors’ best defender on a nightly basis and is often guarding the opposition’s best player.

He has the size, length, and speed to defend multiple positions, something he proved recently against the Suns; guarding Deandre Ayton for a large portion of the night and holding him to 25-percent shooting from the field.

His off-ball defense is just as good as his on-ball defense, his help defense is timed well and he rotates and closes out well. His defense is unparalleled on the Toronto Raptors. Whether or not he gets the attention he deserves is a different story.

Selection: All-NBA Defensive Second Team