Toronto Raptors: 3 bold predictions for pivotal 2021 season

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 04: The bench celebrates Yuta Watanabe #18 of the Toronto Raptors hitting a three point shot (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 04: The bench celebrates Yuta Watanabe #18 of the Toronto Raptors hitting a three point shot (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
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OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
Oct 9, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (3) drives to the basket past Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

3. OG Anunoby averaged 20 points per game, makes All-Star team.

Anunoby spent most of the preseason reminding everyone that despite the loss of Lowry and injury to Siakam, Toronto shouldn’t worry about any sort of offensive decline. He’s taken that next step as an offensive player, as he was borderline unguardable in the preseason.

Anunoby averaged 19.2 points per game during the preseason, making over half of his 3-point attempts. We know that he can shoot, but he looked like someone who could be a primary offensive option. If he scores 20 per game, which should not be ruled out, he should end up in Cleveland as an All-Star.

OG Anunoby could carry the Toronto Raptors.

Anunoby has taken some sizeable scoring leaps over the years, and while he had his best offensive season last year, the combination of an increased offensive workload and his improved shills should put him firmly in the 20 per game mix. His elite defense shouldn’t suffer as a result.

The combination of playing in Toronto and his very measured personality has helped OG perpetually fly under the radar as far as the larger NBA media is concerned. If he balls out in 2021-22, he should finally get the league-wide recognition his style of play deserves.