After years of flying under the radar, OG Anunoby kicked off his Defensive Player of the Year campaign when he declared himself the best defender in the league after the Toronto Raptors’ 143-100 win over the San Antonio Spurs on November 2.
Following a strong start on defense this season, Anunoby was confident enough to let the NBA world know what he believed for some time. Declaring that he “always thought I was the best defender in the league” was shocking for a player who normally comes off as very mild-mannered.
The latest defensive player of the year ranking on NBA.com ranked Anunoby second. Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez was ranked first. Lopez’s start to the season on defense was great, and he deserves to be in the conversation.
However, the self-proclaimed best defender in the league has a few reasons to be upset that he wasn’t acknowledged as such on the list. If the season ended today, Anunoby should be voted NBA Defensive Player of the Year ahead of Lopez.
3 reasons Raptors star OG Anunoby should be a DPOY favorite.
1. Anunoby guards more positions
Listed at 6-7 and 232 pounds, Anunoby can guard every position on the court. From point guard to center, it doesn’t matter. Anunoby is quick enough to stay in front of most guards in the league and strong enough to give NBA bigs headaches and a couple of bruises.
Lopez can protect the paint with the best of them, especially after his rebirth on the defensive side of the floor upon joining Milwaukee, but Lopez isn’t the fastest guy and can have trouble guarding the league’s better perimeter players.
OG Anunoby is a more versatile defender than Brook Lopez.
Anunoby gives the Raptors a lot of defensive options and allows execute their switch-heavy philosophy. On a nightly basis, OG goes everywhere on defense. Near Half court, at the corners, in the paint, and in offensive players’ pockets, it doesn’t matter.
For most of Lopez’s time on defense, he has planted himself in the paint, occasionally stepping up to the free-throw line.
Lopez is the definition of a rim protector. This has a lot to do with why he is averaging 2.8 blocks per game. Defining Anunoby’s role on defense isn’t that easy. He does everything, and that ability to blend in everywhere needs to be reflected in the awards voting when push comes to shove.
2. Closeout and fast break defense.
These are two aspects of defense where Anunoby’s impact is much greater. Lopez’s ability to do the latter is almost non-existent because of his speed. Where Anunoby exceeds Lopez specifically is his value and impact on defense, regardless of the situation.
Anunoby can get from the paint to an open shooter in the corner quicker than you can unlock your phone. Raptors fans have watched him race across the court and completely extinguish opposing possessions in transition. Lopez isn’t incapable, but Anunoby has him beaten.
OG Anunoby is an excellent weapon for the Toronto Raptors.
When it comes to getting back on defense and defending fast breaks, Lopez isn’t in Anunoby’s league. Anunoby has enough speed to get back in time to contest guards. He also has enough length and height to give almost anyone in the league problems when they try to finish at the rim.
Anunoby should be voted NBA Defensive Player of the Year ahead of Lopez, Antetokounmpo, Marcus Smart, or any other media darling that tries to get pushed to center stage over him. He doesn’t have Giannis. He doesn’t have one job. He just does everything for the Raptors.
3. OG is the best defender on his team.
Because Lopez isn’t the best defender on his team, teams are willing to go after him more when they have the ball, giving him more opportunities to pile up block numbers. Teams the Bucks play against try to avoid Giannis Antetokounmpo as much as possible.
Anunoby hasn’t had this luxury. Without Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, and Marc Gasol, Anunoby is now the best defender on the Raptors. Opposing teams have four other guys they can choose to attack when they play the Raptors instead of Anunoby. He’s still risen to the call and led the league in steals.
OG Anunoby is leading the Toronto Raptors on defense.
His impact on that end of the court has been jaw-dropping. The effort and sweat that Anunoby pours into defense are impossible to miss. In almost every game this season, Anunoby found a way to impact the game on defense while still turning in efficient offensive nights.
Teams can try to stay away from him or screen him. It doesn’t matter. He will get his hands in passing lanes and take the ball away. Now that he has the box score stats to entice the voters, Anunoby’s DPOY campaign can really get kicked into high gear.