OG Anunoby just turned 29 years old on July 15, and honestly, if the NBA had an award for the top playoff performer like the NHL’s Conn Smythe Trophy, he absolutely would have snagged it last season. Over 17 brutal playoff games, Anunoby was on another level, averaging 20 points, six rebounds, and 2.5 stocks on a ridiculous 56/49/85 shooting split. Those aren't just good numbers, those are championship-level stats. Even after playing in the NBA Finals last month, where San Antonio probably thinks they "should've" won the whole thing, everyone knows who truly owned the games.
Gamble on Availability? A Win for the Knicks
When the Knicks first picked up Anunoby, there were some real question marks floating around, mostly about how often he'd actually be on the court. He was a beast his first three seasons in Toronto, playing 89% of their games, but then he sat out a combined 49 games over the next two. The Knicks traded away two younger guys, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, and they knew they’d need to extend Anunoby that summer. Was betting on his talent worth losing that depth? The answer, clearly, is a resounding yes. After missing more than a month with an inflamed elbow in his first, shorter season in New York, Anunoby has since played in 86% of the Knicks’ games. Compare that to Quickley, who's played in 62% of the Raptors’ games, and Barrett at a "niiiiiiice" 69%. The gamble paid off big time.Dominance in the Details: From Free Throws to PER
It's not just the raw numbers that pop either. Last season, Anunoby's free throws made per 36 minutes were up 25%. That's a significant improvement! But dig deeper, and you see real all-around excellence. "Adjusted shooting" measures a player against a theoretical average across eight categories: field-goal percentage, 2-point shooting, 3-point shooting, free throw, effective field goal, true shooting, free-throw attempt rate, and 3-point attempt rate. A score of 100 is average. You know who was above-average in all eight? Yep, the birthday boy himself. And remember those insane playoff stats? His postseason Player Efficiency Rating (PER) was 23.8. That would have ranked seventh in the regular season, right behind guys like Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Nostradumbass, and Luka Dončić. Just to top it all off, Anunoby even threw out the first pitch for a Mets versus Phillies game at Citi Field on June 28, looking better than half their starters while doing it. So, here's to OG Anunoby on his 29th. The guy is a true "jumbo wing" and a proven playoff performer. It's going to be awesome watching what he does next on the court for the Knicks.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.