“ Yeah, it's going to be weird “, do not hide OG Anunoby. Tomorrow, he and the Knicks will host the Pacers to open their conference semi-final. With in the ranks of the latter a certain Pascal Siakam, whom OG Anunoby knows very well.
The two players were the last major Raptors executives still present in Toronto at the start of this season, after years of working together. Drafted in 2016 (27th choice) by the Canadians, the current Pacers player was joined the following year by his counterpart today at the Knicks (23rd choice in 2017).
The two men, titled in 2019, have in common that they had to wait a few seasons before exploding on a statistical level. With Fred VanVleet, they embodied this Canadian youth who took power in the years following the title, after the successive departures of the former bosses (Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol, Kyle Lowry, etc.).
Without succeeding, however, in keeping Toronto at the top. So much so that local leaders preferred to transfer them during the financial year last winter. Today, their paths cross with a feeling never before experienced. “ I never played against him. He's always been my teammate, so it's going to be weird, but it's going to be cool, I'm sure. He can't wait to be there too », Reports the London native.
In the same team, including training
Very close to the Cameroonian, he recalls that even during training matches, they rarely defended each other, and were most often in the same team.
“ He's a great player, I think everyone knows that. It has a big impact (on the Pacers). He plays on both ends of the field. He can score, get rebounds, pass. He can do anything », Lists the New Yorker whose impression is confirmed by the production of Pascal Siakam in the first round.
After starting his series against the Bucks very strongly, the Cameroonian slowed down the pace but still finished with nearly 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, a production very slightly higher than that in the regular season. Absent during his team's last three confrontations against the Pacers this season, OG Anunoby was not idle against the Sixers either, averaging 15 points and 7 rebounds.
“ His presence will clearly make the difference. I'm happy he's healthy, back with us. Against the 76ers, he went from Tyrese Maxey on the perimeter to Joel Embiid in the paint », Notes Jalen Brunson in reference to the defensive versatility of his partner.
Facing the Pacers, he could just as easily take care of the Tyrese Haliburton case as… of his former partner at the Raptors. “ He can do things on the field that are difficult to teach. His athleticism and length clearly allow him to cover the ground the way he does, which is remarkable. I think he also has confidence in himself because he's done it so many times », Finishes Jalen Brunson.
