We’ve been dancing around it along with the Raptors: what’s the small forward position going to look like for this team in the playoffs? It’s a firmly established fact that NBA teams tend not to rely on rookies in key positions; they also don’t employ post-season rotations that go 10 or 11 players deep. And yet, for three quarters of the season, the Raptors have done both — and succeeded.
For the most part, both decisions have been wise for Toronto. Since taking over the starting position, OG Anunoby has done his best to play the part of the modern swing man: he’s able to guard multiple positions (and often the best player on the other team), effectively move the ball, and take open three-point shots.