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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MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 05: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a shot while being guarded by OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at the Bradley Center on January 5, 2018 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 05: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks attempts a shot while being guarded by OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at the Bradley Center on January 5, 2018 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

OG Anunoby is a “Giannis Stopper”

Make no mistake about it: OG Anunoby is the one who will guard the league’s most unstoppable player. He has established himself as a world-class defender and can exert himself on defense in ways that other key players on the Raptors simply cannot without sacrificing their offensive game as well. It is far too draining to have to score 25 points and guard a seven-foot-tall ball of muscle who can dunk taking just one step inside the three-point line.

Anunoby’s job is to hit the occasional three when called upon and guard the opposing team’s best player like his life depended on it. He is one of the very few NBA players who can somewhat match up with Antentokounmpo, and he will need to live up to that title for his team to have a shot at repeat appearances to the championship. This role combined with his team’s expectations makes him the most important Hoosier in the NBA playoffs.

Next. Indiana Basketball: Juwan Morgan gets it done for Jazz. dark

Victor Oladipo is fantastic for the Indiana Pacers, Juwan Morgan just started for the Utah Jazz and did very well, and Romeo Langford has the opportunity to come off the bench and make an impact for the Boston Celtics, but none of these former Hoosiers is as important to their team as Anunoby is to the Raptors. Realistically, the NBA Finals will consist of a combination of either the Bucks, Raptors, Clippers, and Lakers. Anunoby has a chance to go to the Finals once more, but this time he has to guard the best player in the league to get his team there.

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