Indianapolis – Og Anunoby shows almost no emotion. It is also laconic as they come.
This is why his piece of trash speeches during the victory of the Knicks 106-100 in match 3 against the Pacers on Sunday evening at Gainbridge Fieldhouse was revealing.
With the Knicks lying around four with less than four minutes in the match, Anunoby struck Aaron Nesmith, then shouted a few words in his direction.
This is the version of Anunoby that Knicks need every night. It is the fire that can bring out the best in him.
“OG was great,” said coach Tom Thibodeau after the match.
The score of Anunoby – and in particular of its 3 -point shot – has made the height in this qualifying series. There are games where he aggressively seeks his shot and adds a necessary score threat. There have been other games where he looks extremely passive and is almost a non-factor in attack.
He was probably the only Knicks player who presented himself from start to finish on Sunday evening. He finished with 16 points on a shot of 6 for 9 from the field. He also drilled 4 out of 6 to 3 points. Two of these 3 were essential in the return of the Knicks.
His trey with 10:38 to play in the third quarter reduced the deficit of the Knicks to 10. Then, when the pacers went up to 16, Anunoby struck 3 others to bring the Knicks within 13 with 7:44 to do in the quarter.
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“I just shoot my shot with confidence, without worrying about disappearance,” said Anunoby on Monday. “I just make good shots and it will even be released over time with a larger sample size. Just fuck the right shots, shoot with confidence and be ready to shoot, too.”
Anunoby’s defense was also critical, adding three blocks and a flight. His defense on Pascal Siakam, his former teammate with the Raptors, was also well improved after Siakam marked a career summit in career and career in playoffs in match 2.
“Pascal is a great player,” said Anunoby. “So, just after this match 2, just trying to make things as difficult as possible. Perhaps not to help as much in certain situations and not give it an appearance or their easy shots. Just try to make it as difficult as possible and to force it to uncomfortable possessions. Pascal is one of my big friends in the League. We were very close to the teammates. He is a big player, but we are in competition.
After giving him the greatest contract in the history of the franchise, the Knicks cannot afford that Anunoby is in the background. He must be at the forefront.
Knicks need, above all, so that Anunoby brings the tenacity that he has shown in this rare display of emotion.
