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Tom Thibodeau Explains Knicks Success With OG Anunoby

The New York Knicks have flipped a switch since OG Anunoby came aboard.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 28, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) shoots the ball as New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) defends in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Dec 28, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) shoots the ball as New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) defends in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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It's been a year since OG Anunoby debuted for the New York Knicks, and the team has found a lot of success when he is on the floor. The Knicks have played 56 games with Anunoby over the past two seasons (not including playoffs), and the team is 43-13 when he is on the floor.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau explains why Anunoby is so valuable.

“When OG came in, he basically came in and he got a month and then he was out. So there were a lot of factors that went into it," Thibodeau said h/t Posting and Toasting. “He obviously contributed a lot and made us different, but then we had Mitch [Mitchell Robinson] go out and Isaiah [Hartenstein] stepped in. So there were a lot of factors. Donte [DiVincenzo] stepped into a role. Josh [Hart] stepped into a role.

“So there were a lot of things that happened simultaneously," he continued.

Even though the Knicks can point to Anunoby as a major difference-maker on both ends of the floor, Thibodeau is divvying the credit for the team's success to other people.

“I would say it’s also a byproduct of those other guys, too. Them working together," Thibodeau said.

“It’s a lot of things, and I think that’s the biggest thing. Their willingness to sacrifice for each other for the betterment of the team is what makes them unique and good as a team. It’s important to recognize that.”

Anunoby has appeared to fit like a glove for the Knicks, and it is only going to get better as the team develops more chemistry amongst each other.

Anunoby and the Knicks will return to the court tonight as they take on the Utah Jazz at home. Tipoff from Madison Square Garden is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

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Jeremy Brener
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.

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