If OG Anunoby is really going to be the next Kawhi in Toronto, then the Raptors need to realize the value in what they have and start managing his load a little bit more. I’m looking at his game log for the season, and as far as I can tell, he has been load-managed only one game this season, and I’m pretty sure that was a real injury, not exactly load management.
Playing in the NBA is tough. There are a lot of very big dudes out there who want to inform you as to how big they are by hitting you with their bigness. Bumps and bruises caused by that add up over time. Playing both sides of the ball is tiring. Whatever strain on his body Anunoby avoids by not always being ultra-aggressive on offense he makes up for by always playing tough defense. And there are so many games! And he’s started all but the one he missed, playing big minutes usually.
Let’s be real: if Kawhi was faced with Anunoby’s current workload, his leg would degenerate into dust and he would be reduced to being a spot-up midrange shooter who literally wouldn’t even try to play defense. Which indicates that Toronto needs to be more careful with their new version of Kawhi. Save him for the playoffs. I bet Dewan Hernandez can pick up some of his minutes.