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Toronto Raptors: 3 players that could win award races next season

By Joseph Zita

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 27: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the net during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Amalie Arena on April 27, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 27: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the net during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Amalie Arena on April 27, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 21: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

2. OG Anunoby: Most Improved Player

Another player on this list is someone who definitely could’ve gotten some recognition for the Most Improved Player Award this past season but didn’t get any votes unlike his teammate Boucher, it’s Anunoby.

OG was one of the few standouts last year, and he still has room to grow. He’s still so young and has so much potential to become an even better two-way player in the NBA. He’s already one of the best versatile defenders who can guard any position in the league, and he’s been slowly adding the offense to his game as we saw this past season.

Once he becomes more of a go-to scorer on the floor and mixes it with his elite defending, Anunoby will be a huge threat every time he steps on the court. He’s coming off this 2020-21 season averaging career-highs in almost every statistical category there is, so it’s mind-blowing he didn’t get any votes for Most Improved Player.

OG Anunoby should contend for MIP.

He averaged a stat line of 15.9 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game, and had a pretty good shooting split as well, shooting 48/39/78 this past season.

If OG can continue working on shooting and keep improving his offense on the floor, I don’t see why he shouldn’t have another Most Improved Player-level season. 20 points per game might sound lofty, but it’s not impossible.