How OG Anunoby is thriving in Knicks’ offense without the ball in his hands

[ad_1]

The first quarter of the 2024-25 Knicks regular season has been a bit of a feel out period. New York has a dynamic offensive duo in Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but the team as a unit is still trying to figure out it’s identity.

One player who has seemed to carve out a role in the offense is OG Anunoby.

When the Knicks acquired the wing in a midseason trade with the Toronto Raptors last year, he was solid on offense and an elite defender who wrecked opponents perimeter offensive attack. Anunoby is still making an impact on defense but his offense has been equally impressive. In 19 games this season, he is third on the team in scoring with a career-high 17.9 points.

Coming into the season, Mikal Bridges was expected to be the team’s third option but he has struggled on both ends of the floor. Anunoby has stepped in to provide an unexpected source of extra offense, and he is thriving by doing more with less. He is making quick decisions and not holding the ball or dribbling incessantly.

Through 18 games, Anunoby is last among Knicks starters in touches per game per NBA Stats. He’s also averaging just 1.91 seconds per touch. Of New York’s eight rotation players, only backup center Jericho Sims has possession of the ball per touch for a shorter length than Anunoby.

The 6-7 forward has been able to score in a variety of ways that usually are quick, he’s adept as a spot-up shooter. Anunoby has been New York’s best off the ball cutter. He can also play like a rim-diving center in the dunker spot and he’s also been able to score in the post when teams switch or try to hide smaller defenders on him.

Anunoby produces 1.19 points per possession on post-ups which is 10th in the NBA. He can make plays in transition. 19.7 percent of Anunoby’s points have come off fastbreak opportunities per NBA Stats, the highest mark of any of New York’s eight rotation players.

Making an impact

The results on the floor are promising. In Anunoby’s 698 minutes this season, the Knicks are outscoring opponents by 6.8 points per 100 possessions. New York has lost the minutes when Anunoby is on the bench. He has the highest…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/og-anunoby-thriving-knicks-offense-145928140.html

Author : SNY

Publish date : 2024-11-30 14:59:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.