The Toronto Raptors are already feeling the sting of losing OG Anunoby for an extended period. His two-way skill has been sorely missed, as teams like the Hawks and Hornets blew this squad out of the water after returning from the All-Star break. Things went from bad to worse on Thursday night.
Not only was Anunoby ruled out for the next two weeks at a minimum due to his fractured finger, but Toronto suffered their third defeat of the season against the Detroit Pistons. Dwane Casey is now 9-3 against the Raptors since Nurse became the coach, as he was able to exploit a team in dire need of Anunoby’s skills.
The Raptors have some winnable games against bottom-feeders and some dogfights against elite teams coming up in the next few days. This team already has an issue with playing down to their competition, and losing one of the best two-way players in the league is not going to help.
The only way the Raptors manage to break out of the slump they have been in after the All-Star break is finding a way to replace Anunoby for the next few weeks. If these three players all manage to hit their stride, they can minimize the damage done to their roster and their record.
3 Toronto Raptors who must step up without OG Anunoby.
3. Thad Young
Young may have missed the Detroit loss with an illness, but they will need him to be in prime condition for the next few weeks to mitigate playing without Anunoby. After closing out a win against the Nets, Young showed that he is going to be even more valuable than Toronto could’ve ever imagined.
Young has shown the Raptors that he can be a solid finisher and jump-shooter on the offensive end. While not close to Anunoby as an on-ball defender, he’s playing his tail off on that end while defining multiple positions. His style of play is as close to Anunoby as anyone on this team not named Scottie Barnes.
Toronto Raptors: Thad Young will fill OG Anunoby’s two-way role.
Giving up a first-round pick for Young might not have pleased everyone, but the Anunoby is injury is exactly why they made this trade. Chris Boucher lacks Anunoby’s muscle on the offensive end and Precious Achiuwa pales in comparison to OG as a shooter right now.
Young will likely continue to come off the bench, but he will be one of the first men off of it. He isn’t going to score nearly 20 points every night as OG does, but he should be expected to challenge for double figures consistently. On a very green team, Thad’s presence is invaluable.
2. Khem Birch
There’s been a ton of Birch criticism online, and even the most contrarian Raptors fan is finding it hard to disagree. Excluded a solid game against the Nets on Tuesday, Birch has made just one shot from the field since the All-Star break. Luckily for him, he’ll likely hold on to his starting spot.
Nurse must like the energy boost that the resurgent Achiuwa has brought off the bench, as Birch is continuing to start despite his offense completely vanishing and his defense being exposed. If Anunoby is to miss tons of time, Birch will likely keep starting.
Toronto Raptors: Khem Birch must improve on offense.
Be is as a starter or replacement for Achiuwa, Birch needs to show some signs of life. He averaged 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game with Toronto last year, so it’s unlikely he simply forgot how to play basketball. If that Birch comes back, the Raptors can absorb this blow.
More than anything else, Anunoby’s ability to switch and help protect the paint as a result is what will always be his meal ticket in this league. Birch needs to be able to make sure his defense is respectable and his offense is even below-average at this point, lest the Raptors fall into some early holes.
1. Pascal Siakam
Siakam was his usual self against the Pistons, putting up 28 points and making several clutch shots as the Raptors tried to mount a late comeback. This was a very welcoming sign after he started the second half in just about as poor a fashion as possible.
Siakam was only shooting 29% in the four games before his Detroit outburst. With Fred VanVleet nursing an injury of his own, Scottie Barnes still just a 20-year-old rookie, and Gary Trent Jr. a bit off from 3-point range lately, Siakam needs to step up and get the job done.
Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam must replace OG Anunoby’s scoring
This won’t be easy, as having someone a premium athlete with the strength of a defensive end and a solid jumper will take pressure off of Siakam. However, we’ve seen Siakam put up numbers with less around him in the past, and it’s not unreasonable to expect an All-Star snub to answer the call.
Siakam has some winnable games coming up on the schedule, meaning that Nurse and this coaching staff will give him every opportunity to carry the load on the offensive end. A few well-timed performances should be enough to help Toronto last without Anunoby.