Could a 2019 NBA Champion Forward Have a Career Year with the Knicks?
The New York Knicks just had one of the best seasons in recent history, and the basketball community at large has been talking about the Karl-Anthony Towns trade working in the Knicks' favor, with KAT having a career year. What people tend to forget is that another trade put the Knicks over the edge, and it was the acquisition of Toronto Raptors small forward OG Anunoby. Since being traded to the Knicks, OG has been a vital part of the team, as his ability to play both sides of the ball helps fill in the gaps of the team. As the Knicks develop further, it appears an OG career year is in the cards.
The main reason OG is in for a career year is that the Knicks have a new head coach in Mike Brown, and his way of coaching the team will give OG more opportunities to shine. Unlike previous head coach Tom Thibodeau, Mike Brown has stated he wouldn't run an offense that relied on Jalen Brunson taking on the majority of the offensive burdens. With this new, quicker offense being run, OG will certainly be getting more opportunities to put up points and increase his stats. OG’s build and strength make him a dangerous threat in the paint; his physicality allows him to muscle through and make tough shots. He's also a solid floor spacer, and when the team has asked him, he's comfortable taking three pointers.
OG is a phenomenal defensive player, and he was heavily relied on last season. KAT’s defensive shortcomings mean that OG has found himself guarding up a position and marching up with centers, and he's more than capable of holding his own. In the 2024 playoffs, he held his own guarding Joel Embiid in an impressive showing of his defensive prowess. While it's great to have this option, OG guarding players when he's guarding up a position isn't sustainable for an entire season. Last season, Mitchell Robinson was injured for the majority of the season, and the defense suffered for it. Going into next season, the Knicks will have Robinson from the start and will be able to play him next to KAT in a double big lineup that hides KAT's defense by putting him at the power forward position. This means OG will comfortably slide into the small forward position, and his responsibility on the defense won't be as taxing on him. This means he'll have the opportunity to overpower smaller players and put up more points by targeting a mismatch on the opposing defense. This means he’ll be able to put up a more impressive stat line and make a push for his first career all-star appearance.
