Raptors: 3-point shooting will be key for OG Anunoby’s MIP chances

So far, it’s been a career year for OG Anunoby. He is averaging 20.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Anunoby is one of the key reasons why the Toronto Raptors are currently riding a five-game winning streak after such a sluggish start.

His stats this season are good enough to be in the Most Improved Player award conversation. He isn’t the only one who is in the MIP conversation, as the likes of Ja Morant and Miles Bridges will put up quite the fight, but this new look on offense gives OG a very potent set of skills.

Anunoby right now is just inside the Top 10 in terms of 3-pointers attempted, and he’s making them at a 37% clip. While this is slightly down from last year, it’s not too concerning considering the increase in volume.

That dip isn’t a concern because it shows that he’s confident in himself when it comes to making those shots. That will improve Anunoby’s chances to win the MIP award because it shows that he’s not afraid to take and make big shots with regularity.

Toronto Raptors star OG Anunoby is evolving into a good shooter.

In five out of the first eight contests Anunoby played this year, he finished the game with three or more three-point shots. While he started to make slow strides in this direction over the years, his MIP campaign is in full swing due to the fact he’s become one of Toronto’s best perimeter scorers.

If it weren’t for Anunoby, the Raptors would not have won their game against the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. This is the game where he had a career-high 36 points along with six rebounds and two assists.

The Raptors were losing as many as 15 points during the first half, and it could’ve been like that for the whole game if Anunoby didn’t step up and take over.

Per Cleaning the Glass, Anunoby is shooting a career-low 35% of his shots at the rim. His mid-range frequency has also taken a jump up. Anunoby was always a solid shooter, but what he’s done in this season shows tangible growth as a scorer.

Anunoby is playing great right now, and his play will be inexorably tied to the success of this team. Even though he’s only making about 37% of his threes, it shows that he has confidence in himself, and that will help him get better as the season progresses.

If he keeps this up, he might put together such a strong MIP case that the voters have no choice but to side with him.