Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: OG Anunoby is the key to Toronto’s playoffs

By Trevor Gersmehl

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 02: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives around OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during a game at Fiserv Forum on November 02, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 02: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives around OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during a game at Fiserv Forum on November 02, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Former Indiana Basketball forward OG Anunoby is ready to shine

The Toronto Raptors were given a near-impossible task this season: replace the production of a top-three player in the NBA without adding any new players. Kahwi Leonard led the NBA’s northernmost team to a championship by averaging 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in the regular season. On top of the statistical weight Leonard carried, when engaged, he undeniably the best wing defender in the modern era of basketball. A sharp descent seemed to be on the horizon when Leonard announced his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Remarkably, the Raptors have managed to replace that production without any notable additions. Their existing players have all stepped up and caused one of the most remarkable follow-ups to a championship in NBA history.

Not only did they replace Leonard’s production — they improved upon it. The Raptors were set to finish this season with a better record than they did with their superstar last season. They are the second seed in the Eastern Conference and are one of the few teams who haven’t missed a beat since the season was postponed in March.

Former Hoosier OG Anunoby has been a key part of this success. Anunoby had a quiet career at IU compared to other pro Hoosiers. He was a three-star recruit who turned into a first-round NBA Draft pick after just two years at school. He never had any national coming-out party like Victor Oladipo, and he didn’t have any recruiting buzz like Cody Zeller or Romeo Langford.

The Raptors saw his potential as a 3-and-D wing and selected him 23rd overall in the 2017 Draft. Not even a year later, he was starting in the Eastern Conference Finals and guarding Lebron James.

Leonard filled Anunoby’s role in the starting lineup last season and forced the former IU player to come off the bench in an unfamiliar role. This season, Anunoby has been plugged back into the starting small forward slot and has been magnificent. He has averaged 10.9 points per game, shot 39% from three, and has earned consideration for the NBA All-Defense team.

Anunoby is one of Toronto’s most essential players in this year’s playoffs. The chances of playing the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals is extremely high, and to make it to the NBA Finals for the second straight season, the Raptors have to find a way to stop reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

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