NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 biggest x-factors
By Wes Goldberg
1. OG Anunoby
Over the years, young players have made a name for themselves by defending LeBron James in the playoffs: Paul George in those Miami Heat-Indiana Pacers series. Kawhi Leonard in the 2013 NBA Finals. Can Raptors rookie OG Anunoby, who was compared to both George and Leonard throughout the draft process, be next in line?
James has been a thorn in Toronto’s side. They’ve never had the guy to body up James in a playoff series. They drafted Anunoby because he has the physical tools, at 6-foot-8, 230, to do so.
Playoff LeBron is a whole different story but, in the regular season at least, Anunoby has been credible guarding James one on one.
The Raptors like to switch on defense, but empowered Anunoby to stick with James during pick-and-rolls. He does a nice job of fighting around screens and getting in front of James without fouling.
As the starting small forward, Anunoby will draw the James matchup at the start of the game. Depending on what lineup Dwane Casey ends the game with, Anunoby may or may not be the guy defending James in crunch time. Casey’s other option is Paskal Siakam.
In three matchups this season, Anunoby has defended James on 106 possessions–the most of any Raptors player. Siakam is second with 57.
Siakam is a bit longer at 6-foot-9 and, like Anunoby, has the athleticism to stick with James.
Both are quick enough to start possessions on James, and big enough to guard a front court player and switch onto James in pick-and-roll situations.
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Against the two of them, James has a higher field goal percentage when defended by Anunoby, but Siakam doesn’t have as many reps, according to NBA.com’s matchup data.
Having both on the floor might be Casey’s best bet, with Anunoby starting possessions on James, and Siakam being available for the switch.
During a down year for the Cavaliers and an up year for the Raptors, this is Toronto’s best chance to finally take down Cleveland. As good as DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors offense has been, however, it will still come down to who is defending LeBron James.