OG Anunoby emerges as offensive weapon for Knicks

DENVER — When the Knicks signed OG Anunoby to the richest contract in franchise history this summer, they were securing for years to come the most potent defensive weapon on their roster, a player capable of guarding point guards one night and centers the next. Or on nights like Monday against the Denver Nuggets, doing both and more.

But an early added return on the franchise’s investment has been Anunoby putting up the best offensive numbers of his career. After scoring 27 points Saturday at Utah, his single-game high since joining the Knicks, he is averaging a career-best 17.8 points per game and connecting on a career-high 40% from three.

That is what $212 million will get you and it is what the Knicks need right now — a player who is their best defensive player and who has emerged as a crucial offensive weapon. Jalen Brunson remains the captain and the most dangerous weapon on the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns has provided an offensive boost at center that hasn’t been seen at Madison Square Garden since the days of Patrick Ewing. But Anunoby has developed into a consistent offensive weapon while also being tasked with defending, well, everyone.

“I’ll guard whoever,” Anunoby said after Monday morning’s shootaround, readying to face Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray or Michael Porter Jr. “I don’t mind. Whatever helps the team win. I’m sure tonight there might be points where I’m on Jokic, or I might be on Murray, or might on Michael. So it just depends.”

You might wonder, how does a 6-8 forward handle Jokic, conservatively listed by the NBA at 6-11 and 284 pounds?

“Just try to make him uncomfortable,” Anunoby said. “And he’s a great player so he’s usually never uncomfortable. But just try my best.”

Towns was listed as questionable for Monday’s game with a left calf contusion which could open up more defensive assignments. And like Anunoby, Sims knew that it was a big ask.

“I mean, he has a different game,” Sims said. “He's a little bit more awkward. I guess I didn't grow up as much playing against people like that. So a skilled big that he doesn't have to be that athletic, just knows what he's doing on the court.

“He's really heavy-set, so if he gets the ball down low, he's kind of difficult to move out of the way.”

Defending the likes of Jokic is something that Anunoby has been called on to do in his career, but this season he has left the centers — including Joel Embiid earlier this month — to Towns and Sims.

But while the defense may be his calling card, the offense has become a constant for Anunoby.

“Yeah, all-around,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I want him to be decisive. When he plays like that it’s much more effective for all of us. When he’s cutting decisively, when he catches and he’s down and ready and balanced and shots with the start he gets into a good rhythm. And running the floor, when he runs the floor and gets into space or he runs to the rim and he catches a small on him those are easy buckets.

“I want him to continue to build on that. Offensively, I think we’ve done a lot of great things all year. Tonight was not one of our better nights offensively, but I think guys are working together to create good shots and I think that’s important.”

“Just getting better each and every game,” Anunoby said. “ I’m sure it’s going to keep getting better also. Just comfortable. Just be ready to shoot and not turn down shots, hunting more.

“It’s definitely more open [opportunities]. And cutting helps the whole team. Even if I don’t get a shot someone else will be open from a cut, from KAT being out there.”

Notes & quotes: While he was ruled out again Monday, Precious Achiuwa is expected to be cleared for practice on this trip. Thibodeau said that he would need a handful of practices before entering a game.

By Steve Popper

steve.popper@newsday.com@StevePopper

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.