3. OG Anunoby’s emergence
It’s difficult to be a contending team without an A-list star. Siakam and Lowry have been All-NBA caliber in the past, but in both cases, the ceiling was a couple of playoff rounds in the East. A true superstar is the most difficult thing to find in the NBA.
There are only really a few that exist in the world and most of the time they like to hang out in New York or Los Angeles. The Raptors have a star-studded foundation, but without an All-NBA guy to go shot for shot with the other powerhouses in the league, the team is a spear without a head.
However, there are some minor benefits to having no real hierarchy on the team. One of which is the comradery that comes with equality, the other is the opportunity for players like OG Anunoby, someone who might be shackled as a 3-and-D guy on a contending team, to grab some glory and test his abilities.
Toronto Raptors: OG Anunoby keeps getting better.
Despite being a four-year vet, OG is one of the youngest guys in the Raptor’s roster at only 23 years of age. For years, he has shown himself to be an All-NBA caliber defender, but the question was always about his offense.
The athleticism was there, and when left open so was the 3-point shooting, but creating for himself and in on-ball situations, he looked like a 6’8, 232-pound deer in the headlights, terrified. Not anymore.
The biggest development for any key Raptor this year has been OG’s growth as an on-ball creator by using his strength to level people in the post, not being afraid to attack closeouts and take it to the hole, and showing an improved handle leading to quicker drives. It’s been great to see the mental and skill-based roadblocks melt away.
The improved touch is real. The easiest way to project touch and future long-range creation ability is to look at a man’s free-throw percentage. OG was around 60% his first two years in the league, then bumping to 70% last year, and is now draining his foul shots at a clean 79% clip.
In April, OG Anunoby averaged 18 points a game, four rebounds, and three assists per game. AND he’s defended everyone from Kyrie Irving to Nikola Jokic.