Toronto Raptors: 3 goals for OG Anunoby to reach in 2021-22
By Mike Luciano
Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby is without question one of the most unheralded players in the game. Box score scouts would overlook his defensive contributions, but now he has the scoring chops to go along with some of the most consistently excellent performances as a defender you’ll see in the league today.
Anunoby averaged 15.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game last season, showing that he more than justified the pricey new contract Masai Ujiri bestowed upon him. In a season where almost nothing went right for Toronto, Anunoby was one of the few bright spots.
Anunoby should be in for an expanded role on offense in 2021, as the departure of Kyle Lowry will put more of a strain on Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, and Pascal Siakam. Considering the major strides he has taken in the last few years, it would surprise no one if he makes another giant leap this year.
Anunoby should try to achieve these 3 goals on the court, as the successful completion of all of these tasks could help the Raptors surprise plenty and sneak into the postseason this year.
3 goals for Toronto Raptors star OG Anunoby to accomplish
1. Stay aggressive on offense.
Part of what makes Anunoby such a tremendous player is his body and athletic ability. While his 6-7, 230-pound frame would be rooted to the post if he was playing 25 years ago, Anunoby has the speed necessary to handle the ball, attack the basket, and finish inside. We need to see more of that in 2021.
Anunoby shot just about 60% at the rim last season, further proving his skills in that area. While the Raptors will have plenty of options to take some of the offensive pressure off of Anunoby, he shouldn’t take that as a sign that he can be a bit more passive on that end of the floor.
This loss doesn't matter. I know the numbers have been bigger, but this could be the coolest OG offensive game of all. Because it wasn't hot shooting. It was self-created, from every zone of the court, with tons of passing as counters.
— Louis Zatzman (@LouisZatzman) April 28, 2021
This is the OG Anunoby that was promised
OG Anunoby needs to maintain this part of his game.
After never ranked higher than the 32nd percentile among NBA forwards in usage rate when he’s on the floor, Anunoby was in the 69th percentile, showing some nice improvement in his ability to be more willing to dominate the ball on offense.
With the willingness to take shots and an increasingly varied bag of moves, Anunoby is primed for a scoring bump.
If there is one part of his offensive game that he could stand to improve, it’s getting separation and creating his own shot. By continuing to be an elite finisher at the rim, maintaining his quality handle for a player his size, and looking to score in isolation situations more frequently, that shot creation ability could come naturally in 2021.