The other day, I mentioned how the Clippers vs. Nuggets first-round playoff matchup was proving to be absolute cinema, thanks to a vintage Kawhi Leonard returning to form like he did in his prime Raptors days.
Well, if the showdown out West was entertaining basketball, then the rivalry going down right now in the East is like a feistier, bolder version of that.
The Knicks and Pistons are squaring off in some riveting basketball right now, and if you’re tuning in, you’ll notice a couple of familiar faces to Raptors Nation: OG Anunoby and Dennis Schroder.
Of course, Anunoby would spend several years as a member of the Toronto Raptors, from being drafted in 2017 to his eventual departure in late December 2023. While Schroder was a surprise free agency addition for Toronto in the 2023 offseason, he also made a name for himself that summer as a standout FIBA champion with his native Germany.
Now, while these two aren’t getting into any scuffles with each other per se (their teammates are certainly getting heated, though), they’re quickly demonstrating how impactful their skill sets are to the trajectory of their team’s success.
Ex-Raptors OG Anunoby and Dennis Schroder shine in playoffs
Last night, Anunoby and Schroder each had stretches during which their tremendous play provided the exact boost needed to help propel their team toward a wave of momentum.
Anunoby was knocking down his three-pointers, playing solid defense as usual, and attacking his opponents with what Reggie Miller referred to as something “OG didn’t have in his bag last year.”
While I wouldn’t call it that, I’ve definitely seen Anunoby tap into this competitive spirit even last year with New York or during his later days with Toronto. You can definitely sense the competitive fire coming out of Anunoby in this high-stakes matchup.
While Schroder, a late acquisition for Detroit, is quickly proving why he’s one of the league’s more underrated backup point guards, he can come in for the Pistons and immediately provide buckets and energy. He went 4-for-6 from three and isn’t shy in the slightest about flapping his gums at their foes from the Big Apple.
It’s always a bittersweet feeling to see ex-Raptors in their new homes. It evokes thoughts of what Toronto could have received for them to maximize trade value or how things might look if they were still providing that for the Raptors. But alas, we can’t live in a world of what-ifs or should’ves, could’ves, would’ves; the reality is that those chapters have long been closed, and this is just a product of everyone moving on.
Regardless, I am really enjoying this playoff series, and I’m looking forward to seeing which former Raptor can emerge from it one step closer to glory.