Meet O.G. Anunoby - Your Next DPOY
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Meet O.G. Anunoby - Your Next DPOY
The Toronto Raptors’ O.G. Anunoby is setting big goals for this season.
O.G. Anunoby will lock your favourite player up.
I know that’s a bold statement, but that’s how good of a defender Anunoby really is.
Don’t believe me? Here’s some evidence for you non-believers:
On Oct. 31, in a game against the Atlanta Hawks, he swiped 6 steals. Then the following game, on Nov. 2, he made the San Antonio Spurs commit 5 turnovers, resulting in 5 steals for himself.
In 8 games this season, Anunoby is averaging 2.9 steals a game. That’s good for first on the season’s steals leaderboard.
And in addition to all of that, he’s averaging 1 block and 6.3 rebounds per game.
O.G. is on a new level this season when it comes to defense. And one of his main motivators is that he wants to be this season’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Via Sporting News:
"Defensively, I've always wanted to be Defensive Player of the Year," Anunoby said of his goals this season. "I've always thought I was the best defender in the league. I've felt that for the last — I don't know how many years."
Anunoby definitely has the tools to be the best defender in the league.
He has the size, strength, and mobility to guard 1-5. He also has the determination to get stops. And he has (and had) good mentors teaching him. And he has good defensive teammates to help him out.
But the competition for DPOY will be stiff.
Marcus Smart will be looking to defend his throne. Mikal Bridges, after coming in second last season, will be taking another shot at it. And Rudy Gobert is always on the cusp of reclaiming the title.
But his biggest competition, I think, will be the Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins.
The reason why is that Wiggins is still upset he got snubbed last season after he wasn’t included on any All-Defensive teams and is playing his guts out on the defensive end right now.
He’s currently averaging 1.4 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 6.0 rebounds per game.
But the most threatening thing is that he guards with passion.
Via NBA.com:
“I love playing defense. It’s a special part of my game, and I enjoy it. There’s nothing better than stopping your opponent. I have the best feeling in the world after getting a stop. Scoring is icing on the cake. But getting a stop? I think that’s what people feed off of. When you get stops, it makes things easier on the other side of the floor.”
O.G is going to have to defend his ass off this season if he wants to become DPOY.
But from what I can tell, it doesn’t seem like he has a problem with putting in the work.
Do you think Anunoby can win DPOY this season?
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