Raptors MVP, LVP, and more at quarter mark of 2022-23 season

O.G. Anunoby and the Toronto Raptors have been getting smacked in the face by the basketball gods over the first quarter of the season. Not only have names like Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes missed games, but they did so in a stretch where Toronto faced off against one of the toughest schedules in the league.

The Raptors are 11-9, with two wins against the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 2-1 record against the Miami Heat showing that this team is equipped to face off against some of the best in the Eastern Conference. The squad was 9-11 after 20 games last year, so progress has been made.

While it feels like we were watching the Josh Jackson/Justin Champagnie preseason competitions just a few minutes ago, the season is already 25% over. The Raptors may not be no-doubt contenders, but Nick Nurse has this team right in the thick of things despite getting thrown some curveballs.

With the season one-quarter of the way in the books, let’s hand out some accolades and acknowledge the players that have gone above and beyond. Who has been the best player on the team this year? Which player will earn the dreaded LVP trophy?

Toronto Raptors awards: Who is the MVP of the team?

Sixth Man of the Year: Chris Boucher

The Raptors still have one of the worst benches in the league, but Boucher bears none of the blame for that performance. When Precious Achiuwa went down because of an injury, Boucher turned on the jets and started piling up some obscene numbers, given the minutes he has played.

Boucher has averaged 12.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game this year, leading the team in offensive rebounds while averaging a double-double in the last five games he played without Siakam. The three-year contract he agreed to in the offseason appears to have been another Masai Ujiri steal.

Chris Boucher has boosted the Toronto Raptors off the bench.

No player in the NBA has more double-doubles off the bench in the last three years than Boucher, who has replicated that feat 26 times. The fact that he can be a tremendous post presence on both ends despite his frail frame shows how effective his never-ending hustle and effort are.

The Raptors went into the year with the thought of Boucher and Precious Achiuwa being a 1-2 punch off the bench. Even though Achiuwa has missed tons of time due to his ankle injury, Boucher has stepped up and emerged as the team’s best second-unit player.