Should this truly be the end of the 2019-20 NBA season, as disappointing as that may be, Toronto Raptors fans should take some solace knowing the year their team was putting together was shaping up to be a special one.
Highlighted by a number of key individual performances that saw many of the franchise’s young players take big leaps, the Raptors’ outlook appears to be quite bright.
Taking a closer look at some of these players, here’s how the Raptors’ team awards would probably shake out as of right now.
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MVP – Pascal Siakam
Pascal Siakam came into the season expected to be the best player on the team, took the challenge on and ended up becoming just that.
His growth into the Raptors’ No. 1 option has been a roller-coaster, with times where he’s looked comfortable roasting opponents for 30-plus points, and others where he’s seemed lost as to how to make the adjustment to being atop opposing teams’ scouting reports, and unable to get uncorked when double teams come his way.
Through it all, he’s battled and learned from his mistakes enough to not only become the team’s leading scorer, but also probably its most all-around efficient player as his 18.7 PER leads the club for players who have logged at least 725 minutes this season.
Defensive Player of the Year – OG Anunoby
Snakebit by extenuating circumstances, such as injury and personal matters, during his first two campaigns, OG Anunoby was in the midst of his best season as a pro, playing in 63 of the team’s 64 games, averaging career-highs in scoring, rebounds and assists, and shooting the ball both from the field and beyond the arc better than ever.
Most pertinent to this award, however, is the fact Anunoby looked to have taken the first major step in realizing his massive potential on the defensive end of the ball.
Anunoby has been Toronto’s most consistent defender and it’s on this end where his value to the team has proven the greatest.
His 3.3 defensive win shares – a stat that estimates the amount of wins a player contributes because of their defence – lead the Raptors and his plus-1.8 defensive box plus/minus – an advanced statistic that estimates the defensive points per 100 possessions a player contributed above a league-average player – is second only to Marc Gasol’s plus-2.7, among players with at least 990 minutes.
And to put that stat into greater context, the 1,897 minutes Anunoby has logged is nearly double Gasol’s time on court, meaning his defensive impact on the Raptors is still probably greater in the long-term.
Rookie of the Year – Terence Davis II
The Raptors actually have quite a few NBA rookies on their roster, but without question, only one guy has really stood out: Terence Davis II.
Undrafted out of Ole Miss, Toronto was lucky enough to sign him after watching him play just one summer league game.
The gamble paid off, and the 22-year-old has been among the Raptors’ best stories this season. Not only is he the only player on the team to play in every game this season, he’s had flashes of brilliance in which he’s shown he has a special ability to shoot the ball, combined with a fearless attitude to rise to the occasion when needed.
His natural athleticism and competitiveness add up to make a player who has a chance to become something pretty special in the future.
Sixth Man of the Year – Norman Powell
For years, Raptors fans have clamoured for Norman Powell to take that extra gear he’s always seemed to have and find a way to reach it more consistently, and this was the season he was finally doing it.
Last season, because of the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, he was moved to the bench more permanently and appeared to struggle. But this season as he’s moved into his bench role – and has been forced to start because of team injuries – Powell’s appeared focused and comfortable as, essentially, the Raptors’ primary reserve gunner.
Averaging career-highs in both scoring and field-goal percentage, Powell’s productivity off the bench has been a revelation for the Raptors who, without a starter out on the floor with the bench unit, have appeared lost offensively at times.
The only knock against Powell this season has been his durability. He’s missed 20 games this season due to injuries and was forced to leave Toronto’s final game before the NBA hit pause against the Utah Jazz with an ankle sprain.
Injuries aside, Powell has been spectacular off the bench for the Raptors this season, and appears to have finally found a home for himself as a reserve.
Most Improved Player – Pascal Siakam
There are quite a few candidates for the award on the Raptors, but the leap in production and the increased role Siakam has taken on this season are impossible to ignore.
Just look at the graphic above and you’ll see the increases across the board. And the fact he’s managed all this while opposing teams are gearing up specifically to try to stop him is that much more amazing.
Coming into this season, Siakam no longer took teams by surprise, and yet he still found a way to get better.
Going from a very good role player into a legitimate, all-star, No. 1 option, Siakam most definitely deserves to be called the most improved player on the Raptors once again.
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