With the Toronto Raptors getting ready to return to the floor to play some basketball, this is a perfect time for some young players to take another step in their young career.
The Toronto Raptors are almost set to return to the NBA season to play eight remaining games and then begin the playoffs.
The Raptors have a handful of young players who have yet to scratch the surface with their true potential, and this year’s playoffs could be their next step in their careers.
So let’s go over three Raptors who will take the next step in their careers during these playoffs.
3. Norman Powell – 27 years old – SG/SF
2019-20 stats – 16.4 PPG – 3.7 RPG – 1.8 APG – .502 FG% – .398 3P% – .838 FT%
At my number three spot to begin this list, I have Norman Powell. Like I’ve said in numerous articles and as most Toronto Raptor fans know by now, he was having himself a tremendous season until injuries got the best of him a handful of times.
With everyone being off for nearly five months by the start of the NBA’s return to play in early August, it will have given the Toronto Raptors injured players enough time to heal up and stay in shape. If Norman Powell can come back on the court as his healthy self and repeat how he played during this season in the playoffs it will be big for the Raptors, and it’ll be even bigger for himself and his career.
He has often been looked at as a bench player for this team for years now, but with Powell taking that next step this season by starting in half the games he’s played this year and setting new career averages he could potentially continue this into the playoffs this year and give himself a big boost mentally for his career down the stretch. (Stats from NBA.com)
2. Terence Davis – 23 years old – SG
2019-20 stats – 7.7 PPG – 3.4 RPG – 1.7 APG – .463 FG% – .396 3P% – .865 FT%
At my number two spot, I have the rookie that took every Raptors fan by storm this season, Terence Davis. What a player this young guy is and I think every Raptors fan is thanking Masai Ujiri for finding and signing him this past season.
At the young age of 23 years old, going undrafted and playing in his first year in the NBA on a championship team like the Toronto Raptors this can’t get any better for the development in his young career. He may not have averaged big numbers in every category but for his rookie season averaging 7.7/3.4/1.7 coming off the bench and setting career highs seeming like every other night when the team was hit with injuries was huge for the team and Terence Davis himself.
Entering the playoffs Davis is going to be a key contributor for this team coming off the bench and it going to have to continue his growth as a young player in this league. However I am confident he can do that, and by him doing that in the playoffs rather than just the regular season will be big for his development as he is on the biggest stage of basketball. (Stats from NBA.com)
1. OG Anunoby – 22 years old – SF/PF
2019-20 stats – 10.7 PPG – 5.4 RPG – 1.6 APG – .507 FG% – .381 3P% – .686 FT%
At my number one and final spot for the Raptor who will take the next step in his career during these playoffs is none other than a fan favorite in Toronto, OG Anunoby. Just like Powell, what a huge step Anunoby took in his career during this past season. Being 23 years old and playing in his third NBA season already, we’ve seen huge strides in his young career thus far.
He has increased his PPG, APG, RPG, SPG, BPG, FG%, 3P%, and FT% every year since his rookie year, and this year being his third year in the league was his best year by far. He has had playoff experience with the Raptors during their 2018 run which they fell short to in the second round against Cleveland and obviously last year with their historic run to the finals and winning it all.
If he can build off his playoff experience and the season he had this year, to this year’s playoffs I think he can both be deadly for the Raptors in the playoffs and help the team go far again, and also be a huge stepping stone in his very young career and help him turn into an even better player, especially on the defensive side where he is already very good at. (Stats from NBA.com)
Who do you think will take the next step in their careers during these playoffs for the Toronto Raptors? Is it Norman Powell, Terence Davis, and or OG Anunoby, or is it someone else I didn’t mention?