Knicks' OG Anunoby hopes his defensive work will be recognized
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, second from left, and guard Max Strus, right, reach for the ball held by Knicks forward OG Anunoby in the second half of an NBA game Wednesday in Cleveland. Credit: AP/Sue Ogrocki
ATLANTA — It has been the offensive uptick that has drawn attention to OG Anunoby of late. But it is his signature skill on the defensive end that he remains focused on and hopes is being noticed.
Anunoby is a man of few words, but he used his share Friday to state his case for defensive honors this season. He earned second-team All-Defensive honors two years ago and believes he’s worthy of more than that.
“It’s pretty important to me,” Anunoby said of All-Defensive honors. “It’s an effort thing. It’s playing hard and helping teams win. So I think it’s important.”
And beyond that, Defensive Player of the Year?
“That’s important too,” Anunoby said. “I think I should be on first-team All-Defense. I think I should win Defensive Player of the Year. I’ve always felt that way.”
The 6-7 Anunoby’s case is the same as many perimeter defenders. In six of the last seven years, it’s gone to a player at least 6-11, prioritizing blocked shots, an easily quantifiable number to look at and judge. Marcus Smart won the award three years ago. Draymond Green won it in 2016-17 and is one of the favorites for the award this season.
This season some of the best defenders have been players who work outside the paint — Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels and Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
What Anunoby does best is disrupt, forcing opponents to basically surrender — calling for help, a screen to get Anunoby off of him or someone to pass the ball to and relieve the pressure.
Anunoby’s numbers aren’t going to wow voters. He is 13th in the NBA in steals — just under one per game — and his 1.5 blocks are below his usual production. He was first in the NBA in steals two years ago, and that helped earn him the only defensive honor he has received to this point. But any eye test shows what he has contributed, pouncing on offensive players.
“People don’t attack if I’m guarding them,” he said. “Or they’ll call for a screen. I’ve noticed that over the years. I’ve always known it. I’ve always known people do that . . . Like calling for a screener to get me off them.
“There’s no stats for that. There’s no stat for picking up a dribble to pass. Or shot attempts — like no shot attempts, there’s no stat for that. So they can’t really tell. And big men. They just always give it to the big men.”
Perhaps the most impressive thing that Anunoby has managed this season is not the career-best 17.8 points per game or the defensive performance, but simply his availability. He already has played in 70 games — a career high for him — and is 10th in the NBA in minutes played, shaking his reputation as an injury-prone player.
“Yeah, it’s always been a goal to get stronger as the year goes on,” Anunoby said. “So I’m proud of it. Yeah, I worked really hard.”
And with six games left, he said he has no intention of letting up.
“When I’m playing for sure, playing hard and playing the right way,” he said. “Then also thinking toward the playoffs and just being in rhythm for that. Knowing that’s what really matters.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
