The Toronto Raptors have had a solid season start and have a 5-4 record after Friday night. The base of this early season success has been built on a rock-solid defense. The biggest reason behind the Raptors being so solid on that end of the court has been the play of O.G. Anunoby. The British forward has been sensational on defense.
No team has managed to score more than 112 points in a game against the Raptors. They have the seventh-best defensive rating in the NBA at 108.5 while topping the charts in terms of steals and defensive rebounding percentage.
The Raptors fans have been aware of his incredible defensive abilities for years but now, the entire league is starting to take notice, as he has taken his game to another level and is setting some records for himself.
Following the game against the Dallas Mavericks, Anunoby became the first player in franchise history to record five or more steals in three straight games. Over the last 10 years, the only two other players to achieve that feat in the NBA are Russell Westbrook and Robert Covington.
OG Anunoby is the first player in @raptors franchise history to record 5+ steals in three consecutive games!
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) November 5, 2022
He also joins Russell Westbrook and Robert Covington as the only three NBA players to do so in the last 10 years.🔥 pic.twitter.com/FHMLg2h5C6
Toronto Raptors: O.G. Anunoby is playing incredible defense.
Anunoby is usually shy to talk about his own defensive prowess, but he recently admitted that he is targeting the Defensive Player of the Year. He said:
"“I’ve always wanted to be Defensive Player of the Year.“I’ve always thought I was the best defender in the league. Felt that for the last I don’t know how many years.”"
It is hard to believe that Anunoby has never been included in an NBA All-Defensive Team by now, but his performances this season have only made it easier for voters to give in and nominate him for this honor finally. His highlight performance until now has to be locking down Trae Young in the game against the Atalanta Hawks.
Anunoby is leading the league in steals right now, averaging a remarkable 3.1 of them per game. That number is more than one-third of the steals Toronto has amassed this season. On top of that, he is also averaging 6.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game while getting back on track offensively.
While Anunoby’s defensive game is getting a lot of attention right now, he has been efficient going forward as well, averaging 15.6 points while shooting 47.2% of his field goal attempts and a brilliant 40.9% from beyond the arc.
If OG Anunoby plays 65+ games this year, an All-Defense spot should be his. In pen.
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) November 1, 2022
He is extremely important to the Raptors on both ends of the court, and nights like Friday in Dallas show the full potential of what he could be.