The Toronto Raptors are starting to fall down the standings, but that shouldn’t dampen the enthusiasm surrounding OG Anunoby. Fans were expecting a big leap in offensive production this season, and he’s satisfied fans by putting up the best numbers of his career on that end.
Anunoby’s 20.1 points per game average would be the highest of his career, as he stepped up without Pascal Siakam in the rotation. Anunoby’s efficiency has decreased slightly due to a slow start, but he has looked much sharper on that end of the floor than he had prior to this season.
Anunoby’s defense remains as elite as ever. Should he return from his hip injury relatively soon, he may be the Raptor with the best chance of making it to the All-Star game in Cleveland this season. His numbers are certainly worthy of consideration when combined with his defensive chops.
Some of Anunoby’s numbers, especially within the context of all of the bad luck the Raptors have had this season, are genuinely impressive when compared against other near-stars in the league. These 3 players may have made the All-Star Game last year, but Anunoby looks more deserving this season.
Toronto Raptors star OG Anunoby is playing better than these 3 All-Stars.
3. Mike Conley, Utah Jazz
Conley never made an All-Star team in Memphis despite serving as the heart and soul of some quality Grizzlies teams. He finally got his long-awaited nod last season, but he isn’t doing much to return to that exclusive club despite Utah starting the season off in dominant fashion.
Conley is fifth on the Jazz in scoring at just 13.8 points per game, the second-lowest mark of any 2020-21 All-Star this year. His 5.6 assists per game are also slightly down from last year, as Donovan Mitchell and Jordan Clarkson appear to be seizing more control of the perimeter offense.
Toronto Raptors: OG Anunoby is scoring more than Mike Conley.
Even though Anunoby plays alongside four other starters that are all capable of leading Toronto in scoring on any given night, he’s shown that he can still lead the charge when needed. Look no further than his 36 point night on the road against the Knicks without Scottie Barnes.
Conley is playing well, but the Jazz are such a well-oiled machine that they can still win when he has an off night. As Toronto has shown during Anunoby’s absence, it can be very difficult for the Raptors to pick up some wins against quality teams if No. 3 isn’t out there on the floor.
2. Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have had a fantastic start to the season, but Vucevic is not one of the reasons for the start. While former Raptors star DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball have been part of a tremendous backcourt trio alongside Zach LaVine, Vucevic has found it to be much harder to get into a groove this season.
Vucevic is averaging just 13.6 points per game this season, which is his lowest total since his first year with the Magic. After making at least 46% of his shots in each season with Orlando, Vucevic is converting on just 39% of his looks. This is what they gave up on Wendell Carter Jr. and Franz Wagner for?
Toronto Raptors: OG Anunoby is more efficient than Nikola Vucevic.
Anunoby is trying to get his averages back up after a somewhat rough start, but he’s blown Vucevic out of the water in that area, all while remaining a plus defender. As good as Chicago has been, Vucevic has been genuinely disappointing this season considering what they gave up to get him.
If Anunoby gets designated as a frontcourt player, and if Toronto ends up picking up some extra wins, there is no reason why he can’t bump Vucevic out of the All-Star mix this season. When you factor in Anunoby’s defense, OG should get preferential treatment over Vucevic even if the veteran big turns things around.
1. Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers
Sabonis’ per-game averages don’t look bad at all, as the two-time All-Star is averaging a double-double at 17.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. Unfortunately, some of his numbers have slid downhill in what has been a very difficult season for the Pacers.
Say what you will about Nate Bjorkgren during his tenure with Indiana, but he managed to get the most out of Sabonis. Sabonis’ numbers are down across the board when compared to 2020-21, and Rick Carlisle has Indiana on the outside looking in when referring to the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Toronto Raptors: OG Anunoby, Domantas Sabonis will compete for votes.
Anunoby was always a player that provided a greater impact on the game than the traditional box score stats would indicate. Now that he’s starting to come into his own as a scorer, he can go head-to-head against players with the pedigree of Sabonis when it comes to some of the individual award races.
If both teams put up All-Star numbers on teams that aren’t postseason locks, the rosters in Cleveland may only have room for one of them. Given his superior scoring and top-shelf defense, Anunoby has all of the qualifications to continue his breakout season and be named an All-Star for the first time over Sabonis.