Lineup Tweak Could Take OG Anunoby to New Defensive Heights
OG Anunoby has long been one of the NBA’s elite defenders, and this season he has the potential to reach even higher defensive peaks. The key? Spending a larger share of his minutes alongside Mitchell Robinson.
Last Season’s Defensive Burden
During Anunoby’s first full year with the Knicks, most of his minutes came with Karl-Anthony Towns at center. While Towns is an incredible offensive talent, he is often a liability on defense. Anunoby’s combination of size, athleticism, and versatility meant he had to carry a heavy load on the defensive end to keep the Knicks competitive.
Numbers Tell the Story
Towns isn’t a rim protector. Among players seven feet or taller who averaged at least 25 minutes per game last season, Towns was one of only three to average less than one block per game. That meant Anunoby spent much of last season without the kind of defensive support a rim protector provides.
Last season, Anunoby and Towns shared the floor for 1,802 minutes, during which the Knicks posted a 115.7 defensive rating. When Anunoby played without Towns for 903 minutes, the team’s defensive rating improved to 111.1. Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson, even in a limited role of 17 games last season, had a clear impact. In the playoffs, with more minutes alongside Anunoby and Towns off the floor, the Knicks posted a 110.6 defensive rating.
Robinson’s Presence Could Unlock Anunoby
Robinson is a phenomenal rim protector and versatile defender. Playing alongside him gives Anunoby more freedom to showcase his full defensive toolkit, while allowing him to match up with players closer to his size. Anunoby is one of the few players in the league capable of guarding every position effectively, and Robinson adds another layer of flexibility.
With both players healthy for a full season, the combination could elevate not just each individual but the entire Knicks defense to levels the team has not yet reached. The pairing of Anunoby and Robinson has the potential to be one of the most dynamic defensive duos in the NBA.
