At the New York Knicks’ 2025 media day, Mike Brown was incredibly clear about what he wants from OG Anunoby.
“First-team All Defense. He is more than capable.”
The Knicks‘ new head coach – hired over the summer after the surprise firing of Tom Thibodeau, and a slightly torturous process to find his replacement – brings a plethora of experience, having worked across multiple NBA franchises, including winning a title as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs back in 2003. At that time, Brown saw great defenders up close. And now, he wants Anunoby to become another.
“That’s how good he is on that end of the floor”, said Brown. “And I’ve been around those guys; Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan. I’ve been around a few of them, and he’s right there.”
The Modern Day Bruce Bowen
Anunoby’s defensive prowess is not news. It is precisely because of his versatility and impact on that end – plus his offensive profile of three-pointers, explosive dunks and a tendency to fall over – that the Knicks targeted him in their December 2023 trade with the Toronto Raptors. It is also why they subsequently re-signed him to a five-year, $212.5 million contract last summer. The Knicks know they have an excellent two-way modern player.
Bowen was one of the pioneers of the three-and-D role. On those Spurs teams of the early 2000s, he was noted for being a specialist, playing a [let’s generally call it] highly physical brand of impactful, bothersome man-to-man perimeter defense to go along with being one of the early adopters of the corner three-point shot, which represented almost all of his offensive impact.
In having more range and versatility on both ends of the court, Anunoby has the profile of an uber-Bowen. What Brown now wants is for him to earn the same level of accolades.
Anunoby’s Career To Date
Last season, in 74 regular season games, Anunoby averaged 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game, wuth the scoring being a career-best mark. The British international forward was hardy and consistent, and his floor-spacing ability to make an offensive impact without requiring much time on the ball pairs well with point guard Jalen Brunson.
Thibodeau’s time with the Knicks ended this summer, despite a run to the Eastern Conference Finals, because his demanding style (at least to those in the rotation) was thought to limit the ceiling of the team. Brown’s demand here, though, is of a different style. The standard he is holding Anunoby to comes concurrent with a public statement of high praise, the kind of media recognition that players will want to play hard for.
To be sure, Anunoby already did play hard. And with his off-ball defensive excellence, he also plays smart. With a new coach who is willing to push forward the narrative around his defensive excellence, perhaps in 2025-26, Anunoby – who was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2023 – will be able to go at least one step further.
Mike Brown Sends Down The Ultimate Challenge for OG Anunoby