OG Anunoby wants everybody to stay healthy

Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby discusses Scottie Barnes, what Christian Koloko brings to the Raptors and why Nick Nurse's defensive scheme is challenging to learn.

Video Transcript

- OG, what are your expectations for this season, having a month of training camp now? Do you think the team will be improved or different than was a year ago?

OG ANUNOBY: Oh, yeah, I think we're going to have a great team. I think everyone came back improved. And we're on the same page. Last year was more of the-- beginning was more of a learning process. And, like, everyone was trying to get up to speed. But this year, we have a lot of guys back. So I think it'll be smooth at the start, for sure. And just, we're going to try to peak at the end.

- I mean, do you think, like, you got a pretty good team [INAUDIBLE]. But do you think it's going to be interesting to see how all that [INAUDIBLE] pays off?

OG ANUNOBY: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, I think so. I think it'll make a difference. [INAUDIBLE] be good at start.

- OG, how do you feel like that continuity specifically helps on defense? Because I feel like you and, like, Fred and Pascal obviously had some experience running the defense, a lot of moving parts. But there were a lot of new guys last year [INAUDIBLE] Scottie. So, like, them having gone through a a full year and maybe, like, figured out a little bit the connectivity required to, like, run that defensive system, like, what does that look like coming into the new year where [INAUDIBLE]?

OG ANUNOBY: I think everyone's on the same page. Everyone knows, like, the rotations, next rotation, where everyone's going to be. So I think everyone's on the same page now, more so than we were last year at the beginning.

- What do you think is the most difficult part of [INAUDIBLE] defensive scheme?

OG ANUNOBY: I don't know. I don't know. Just as the rotations go on, you know, communicating, making an [INAUDIBLE], being there, talking as a possession goes on. So it's easy at the beginning. But the end, continuing to talk and be there for the next man.

- How would you describe the defense at the beginning of last year?

- I think it was pretty good. But it was just everyone was learning still. So it's different.

- How helpful is it to have a guy like Christian Koloko, who can learn on the fly [INAUDIBLE]. What have you seen specifically about his game [INAUDIBLE] have for the season?

- Oh, it's great having Christian out there, you know, a lot of threat, a rim runner, shot blocker, presence in the paint, rebounding. So it's just great having him back there. And then-- yeah, he covers up a lot of mistakes. If someone gets beat or someone blows a coverage, he's back there blocking [INAUDIBLE], or at least, if not blocking it, altering it. So it makes a big difference having him back there.

- You know what it's like to go from first year to second year. What have you seen from Scottie Barnes in this camp that has either surprised or impressed you?

OG ANUNOBY: I'll just-- he works hard every day. He takes advice from everyone. And he's not scared to mess up.

- What-- do you expect of him this season?

OG ANUNOBY: He's gonna have a great year.

- What part of your game-- you're a lead at some things on the board. If you're ever to try and impart that wisdom, that skill on to people, what do you most often teach to your teammates?

OG ANUNOBY: I don't know. I'll say I guess defensive guarding, one on one, for, like, anticipating for, like, steals or blocks or just-- but that comes from also knowing the defense and knowing the rotations and stuff. So probably stuff like that.

- Do you care to elaborate on what that might look like?

OG ANUNOBY: Oh, just reading the other side of it. Like, if you're on the weak side, reading the top of the key, the ball handler, reading his eyes. Kind of guess where the next pass will go. And then if you're wrong, trying to guess where it' going to go the next time. Not a scramble defense. Just learning from it, yeah. Watching film, watching other teams' tendencies, stuff like that.

- [INAUDIBLE] A lot of your injuries have been pretty fluky, really. But what do you think it would do for you hoping to play [INAUDIBLE] 75 games [INAUDIBLE]? How do you think it would help you?

OG ANUNOBY: I think it would help me. I think it'll help everyone on the team. Just it would help everyone.

- But I mean, just maybe just avoiding having-- you know, you're 0 for a month having to get [INAUDIBLE] that kind of stuff or just be able to build some momentum?

OG ANUNOBY: Yeah, I never want that to happen, so.

- Unfortunate for some.

OG ANUNOBY: Yeah, no one wants that. I hope no one has that happen to anyone. I hope we're all healthy this year.

- No injuries this year. That's what I've heard.

- Yeah, knock on wood.