Can Knicks SF Make All-Defensive Team?

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby is one of the best wing defenders in the NBA.

Jeremy Brener | Aug 17, 2024

May 19, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) warms up before game seven of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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New York Knicks

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby's biggest struggle throughout his career has been his health. But when he is on the floor, Anunoby has looked like one of the league's best defenders.

Anunoby made the NBA All-Defensive team in 2022-23, but after only playing in 50 games last season for the Toronto Raptors and Knicks, he missed out on the honor.

However, Bleacher Report writer Zach Buckley believes he could make a re-appearance in his first full season with the Knicks.

"Anunoby's current career-high for games played sits at 74, and it was set back during his rookie season of 2017-18. This most recent campaign marked the third time in four years that he has appeared in 50 or fewer outings," Buckley writes. "Availability, then, has been Anunoby's biggest hurdle in terms of earning this distinction, but if he can just get the injury bug off his back, everything else should fall into place. The Knicks are deep enough that they shouldn't have to run him ragged, and the summer trade for Mikal Bridges means Anunoby won't automatically assume the opposition's toughest perimeter assignment. If Anunoby finally stays healthy, he should make his presence felt early and often enough to bag the first All-Defensive first-team selection of his career."

Taking pressure off of Anunoby should be easier this season with Bridges on board and the Knicks will rely on his defensive prowess more with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle healthy. That will allow Anunoby to exert more energy on the defensive end and allow him to showcase his best attribute more often.

Anunoby came to the Knicks in the middle of the year when the team was beaten up already by injuries. Now, with the Knicks fresh and ready for the upcoming season, Anunoby can play a more relaxed version of himself, and that will be best for all parties involved.

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Published Aug 17, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.