CLEVELAND — OG Anunoby’s Defensive Recognition
For the second consecutive year and the third time overall, OG Anunoby has been honored as one of the NBA’s top defensive players.
The tough two-way wing earned a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team, as revealed by a panel of 100 voters on Friday evening.
Anunoby has made the second team three times now. Recently, Knicks coach Mike Brown and player Karl-Anthony Towns expressed their belief that Anunoby should be included in the first team.
“His versatility is incredible, enabling us to execute various defensive strategies,” Brown stated. “In my opinion, he truly deserves first-team All-Defense this year. Let’s hope the decision-makers recognize that, too.”
However, that didn’t materialize.
The first team selections included Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), Derrick White (Celtics), and Orser Thompson (Pistons). Anunoby received 11 votes for the first team.
The Knicks are now just two wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years and will travel to Cleveland with hopes of defeating the Cavaliers.
Yet, Mike Brown has concerns about officiating.
“I’m unsure what to make of free-throw calls. We were 22-6 in the second half,” Brown remarked following his team’s straightforward win in Game 2. “When you review the footage, you might see a foul, but a 6-for-22 difference in free throws is substantial.”
“Perhaps we committed fouls while they did not; I really can’t say.”
In Game 2, the Cavaliers attempted 18 more free throws than the Knicks, finishing 14-for-32. In the first game, the Knicks had more attempts at the line, 32-23.
Interestingly, the Cavaliers, with 28.8 free-throw attempts, rank second among the 16 playoff teams. Only the Nuggets (30.2) managed more.
Donovan Mitchell claimed he was fine after Game 2, though coach Kenny Atkinson noted he looked “a bit stiff and was just trying to push through” during the first half of the Cavaliers’ defeat.
“But I asked him if he wanted to play in the fourth quarter, and he said ‘Okay,’ so I think he’s alright,” Atkinson added.
When questioned about his health on Thursday, Mitchell responded, “I’m great. Great. Great.”
Throughout the playoffs, the Knicks have kept their opponents under 100 points six times. Of the teams left, the Spurs have done this five times, while the Cavaliers and Thunder have both achieved this twice.
Additionally, the Knicks held a watch party that raised over $350,000 for Garden of Dreams, a charity supporting underprivileged youth in the area. They plan another watch party at the Garden for Game 3 this Saturday, with tickets priced at $10.
