OG Anunoby Preseason Performance Predicating Bounce Back Season 

For OG Anunoby, the opening of the regular season could not arrive more quickly.

After a year defined by off court distractions and injuries, Anunoby is eager to take the next step in his basketball development.

While the preseason does not contribute to actual wins and losses, it has served its purpose for Anunoby. To showcase the role he will play on this 2019/2020 Raptors team on both sides of the ball.

In the lone home preseason game for the Raptors, Anunoby was the go-to scorer on the floor. Playing 27 minutes, the small forward racked up 15 points, two rebounds and four assists. It did not matter that the majority of starting Raptor players were those vying for spots on the roster. Anunoby showed he is on his way back to the form that was on display during his rookie season.

“For me, it starts with the guy who is going to execute the defensive game plan and then who is going to be a safe pair of hands on offence and who’s not going to be afraid to take the kick-out shot,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.

Despite the lopsided Chicago Bulls 105-91 victory over the Raptors, Anunoby was a bright spot. He was the integral facilitator on offense, often utilizing his size to drive to the basket for buckets. He used his vision of the court to get out of double teams, evidenced by his no-look passes to teammates for layups. Anunoby even took a page out of Pascal Siakam’s repertoire, demonstrating his ability to get into open space and convert “Spin-o-Rama” layups.

In the second Tokyo preseason game against the Houston Rockets, Anunoby highlighted his defensive prowess. His task was taking down James Harden, one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers, who averaged 36.1 points per game last season on 44.1 percent shooting from the field.

Harden only made one-contested three pointer with Anunoby guarding him. The 22-year-old held his own covering the Rockets guard, never giving into his hesitation dribble moves.

“He’s got a real knack and a talent on defense,” Nurse said. “He’s big, he’s 6-8, can move his feet, can steal the ball. He stepped in and took a charge tonight, had two or three deflections and things he knocked away.”

Given the new look of the Raptors roster with the departures of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, expectations for Anunoby are high. Coming from the historical college basketball power of Indiana University, Anunoby did not disappoint during his rookie season.

In 62 games, the Raptors small forward generated a 37.1 field goal percentage and 47.1 percent shooting from the field. All the while exhibiting his 6-foot-8, 232 pound stature, making life difficult for opposing players on the wing.

While Anunoby’s sophomore season included the Raptors winning the franchise’s first NBA Championship, it was defined by concussion-like symptoms, personal issues and an emergency appendectomy that kept him out of the playoffs. His offensive performance raised concerns; in just 67 games played last season, Anunoby’s three point percentage regressed to a disappointing 33.2 percent.

With the Raptors exercising Anunoby’s fourth year team-option, the organization has belief and faith that he will get even better from his rookie campaign. Ideally slotting into the fourth option for offense, Anunoby recognizes that his primary role will be one of the team’s elite defenders.

“I felt really good, just been working on everything,” said Anunoby. “(I’ve) just been ready to get back.”

(Source: NBA.com)

In the 2017-2018 season, Anunoby was fourth in terms of defensive rating on the eight-man rotation. A key piece on a Raptors team that was second in the league in defensive rating.

Similar to Pascal Siakam last season, Anunoby is on the precipice of making positive progressions in his game. But Siakam is quick to say that it is important to not put too much pressure on Anunoby, particularly as the season starts.

“I think we have to let OG continue to grow and do what he’s gotta do. OG works extremely hard. We’ve just gotta let him be himself and continue to grow,” said Siakam. 

While Siakam will undoubtedly shoulder a higher usage on offense, Anunoby has the opportunity to raise this team’s level on both ends, launching them into a top four seed in the Eastern Conference.

It is just the preseason but given his recent performances, it indicates that the future is bright Anunoby.

OG Anunoby Preseason Performance Predicating Bounce Back Season  originated on Raptors Republic.