OG Anunoby’s Quest for Defensive Player of the Year Intensifies

ATLANTA — OG Anunoby, the New York Knicks‘ standout forward, believes he deserves to be recognized as the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) due to his unwavering defensive prowess throughout the season. Anunoby expressed his thoughts on the subject during an interview on Friday, emphasizing the lack of statistics that truly reflect his impact on opposing players.

“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,” said Anunoby, who has only been named to the All-Defense Second Team once in 2023 while playing for the Toronto Raptors. Despite injuries limiting his playtime in previous seasons, he’s rebounded this year with impressive health, participating in 70 games and logging a career-high in minutes.

Anunoby, 27, leads the Knicks in blocks, is tied for first in steals with teammate Josh Hart, and ranks first among the team’s starters in defensive rating. “There are no stats for a player calling a screen to avoid you or picking up a dribble to pass,” he noted. “So voters can’t really tell. They just always give it to the big men.” This historical trend is stark; 27 of the last 33 DPOY winners have been centers or power forwards, focusing on quantifiable metrics like blocks and steals.

The Knicks have seen a dramatic improvement in their defensive performance recently, moving from the bottom-third to 13th in defensive rating leading up to Thursday’s games. The last time the Knicks had an All-Defensive selection was 2013, with Tyson Chandler being the only recipient besides Charles Oakley in the past 44 years. Anunoby’s emergence as a key defensive player may change that narrative.

In the same vein, Hart, who has been an instrumental part of the Knicks’ success, stated, “I always said the biggest thing is availability when it comes to being in the league.” Hart, known for his relentless work ethic, expressed his desire to finish the season strong, revealing he’s committed to playing as many games as possible.

As the playoffs approach, Anunoby’s role has become even more crucial. He was significant in the Knicks’ recent comeback victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, scoring 28 points, marking a consistent performance as he has delivered at least 23 points in the last six games. In the absence of star guard Jalen Brunson, out with a sprained ankle, both Anunoby and teammate Mikal Bridges have intensified their offensive contributions to keep the team competitive.

Despite their recent success, the Knicks will need to maintain their momentum. Anunoby missed crucial playoff games last year due to a hamstring injury, leading to missed opportunities. The team’s need for a fully healthy and productive Anunoby is paramount for their playoff aspirations this season.

“OG and Mikal are playing at a very, very high level,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “When you have somebody like that out there, then everybody gets more aggressive.” With Anunoby at the forefront of the Knicks’ defensive efforts, he aims to solidify his case for a much-deserved recognition by the end of the season.