Toronto Raptors: Stock up, Stock down after 2 preseason games
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors might’ve felt pretty solid about their chances to compete after bulldozing the Philadelphia 76ers in their preseason opener. Unfortunately, it took all of one game for Joel Embiid and Toronto’s Atlantic rivals to assert themselves back home in Philadelphia.
The Raptors fell 125-113 in a game that didn’t feel as close as the final score indicated, as they mounted a bit of a comeback while the game was already decided. The lockdown defense that helped Toronto take home a win earlier in the preseason schedule looked nonexistent.
The Raptors have seen some players impress fans and coaches alike with their play on both ends of the floor, but it hasn’t been perfect. Some players can’t hold their heads too high after some uneven games.
It’s time to play stockbroker and analyze the Toronto Raptors’ market. Which players have momentum at their back, and which players need to do everything possible to get back into the swing of things before the season starts?
Stock Up, Stock Down for the Toronto Raptors after 2 preseason games.
Stock Up: OG Anunoby
Anunoby started to develop into a major offensive piece last season, and with Kyle Lowry having left, his emergence as a genuine star on that end appears to be drawing closer. Based on what we’ve seen in the preseason, OG is well on his way to becoming one of the better Raptors on this side.
Anunoby led Toronto in scoring in both games, piling up 22 in Thursday’s loss. The manner in which he’s getting these points, which includes more offensive creation, shooting off the dribble, and finishing inside should get fans excited about what they can do when the games start counting.
OG Anunoby is starting to show the Toronto Raptors his star potential.
Anunoby has improved his points per game average in every season since he came into the league, and if the preseason is any indication of the type of role he will play in this offense, the 15.9 points per game average he amassed last year will likely be topped by what he authors this season.
Pascal Siakam and Chris Boucher are both on the mend right now, meaning that Toronto will roll into the regular season without three of their top six scorers from last year. OG looks more than capable of stepping up to fill that role both early in the season and further down the line.