Anunoby's muted response came as no surprise to his high school coach, however. Blair Thompson, who coached Anunoby at Jefferson City High School in Missouri, says Anunoby has always carried an understated swagger in high-pressure situations.
Anunoby's winning shot Thursday came with a half-second left on the clock and the Raptors down two points. So inevitable did defeat look for the Raptors that a Toronto news station had already reported that the Celtics had taken a virtually insurmountable 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal.
"I don't think that's anything out of the norm for OG," Thompson said. "I think he has a lot of passion for the game, and I think he's one of those guys that, good or bad, he's not going to show a lot of emotion. Nurse said Anunoby's stoic reaction reminded him of Celtics legend and former Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird.
He has scored in double digits every game this series for the Raptors, including 20 points in a Game 2 loss, while still providing elite defence. He reached his career-high for points in a game this season, scoring 32 in a road loss to Denver on March 1.
He looked like he couldn't believe he made that shot....nice tho...