OG Anunoby: The Knicks' $212 Million Star Who Remains Underrated Nationally

Key facts

• OG Anunoby signed the largest contract in Knicks history, worth $212 million.
• He finished 10th in Defensive Player of the Year voting, likely earning only second-team All-Defensive honors.
• Anunoby posted a plus-minus of 42 in 27 minutes during the Knicks' 140-89 series-clinching win over the Hawks.
• The Knicks' 47-point halftime lead in Game 6 was the largest in NBA playoff history.
• Tom Crean, Anunoby's former college coach, said the player is 'almost taken for granted' nationally.
• Anne Hathaway considered wearing an OG Anunoby jersey on 'The Tonight Show' and described herself as a 'motherly' Knicks fan.

A Quiet Dominance on the Court

OG Anunoby is the best defensive player on a team that posted the NBA's seventh-best defensive rating, and his net rating was the highest of any Knick who played more than half the season. Yet when the Defensive Player of the Year ballots were counted, he finished 10th — a placement that likely consigns him to a second-team All-Defensive selection, only the second of his career. The discrepancy between his on-court impact and national recognition has become a defining theme of his career.

Record-Setting Playoff Performance

In Game 6 of the first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, Anunoby scored 29 points with seven rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block, posting a plus-minus of 42 in just 27 minutes. The Knicks crushed the Hawks 140-89, breaking multiple NBA records: a 40-15 first-quarter lead was the largest of the shot-clock era, and a 47-point halftime advantage was the biggest in playoff history. The victory sealed the series for New York.

A Star in New York, Overlooked Elsewhere

In Madison Square Garden, Anunoby is serenaded with 'OG, OG' chants, and the public-address announcer gives extra emphasis when introducing him. His bank account reflects that local adoration: he signed the largest contract in Knicks history, a $212 million deal. But national accolades have been elusive. He has never been an All-Star, and his Defensive Player of the Year finish suggests he will again be passed over for first-team All-Defensive honors.

The Coach Who Saw It Coming

Tom Crean, who coached Anunoby at Indiana University, expressed frustration at the lack of national attention. 'That’s really always irritated me at a high level is the national attention he was getting for being such a good two-way player and being a legit first-team all-defense guy,' Crean said. 'That’s what bothered me. Because that’s what he does. And I think that’s sometimes where because he’s not out there like that, people almost take him for granted. That’s kind of what it is.'

A Motherly Fan in the Stands

Actress Anne Hathaway, a self-described Knicks fan, appeared on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' and revealed she considered wearing an OG Anunoby jersey for the segment. She called herself a 'motherly' fan, saying, 'When I’m at the game, I want them to know that I know who they are and that they’re going to win.' Hathaway, who wore a blue and orange handkerchief, has attended multiple Knicks games in recent years.

What Comes Next for Anunoby

With the Knicks advancing past the Hawks, Anunoby's role as a two-way anchor becomes even more critical. The team's defensive rating and his individual net rating suggest he is the linchpin of New York's success. Yet the national recognition gap persists, and it remains to be seen whether a deep playoff run will finally elevate his profile beyond the local adoration he already commands.

The bottom line

• OG Anunoby is the Knicks' best defensive player and posted the team's highest net rating among players with significant minutes.
• He finished 10th in Defensive Player of the Year voting, likely earning only second-team All-Defensive honors.
• In Game 6 against the Hawks, Anunoby had 29 points, a plus-minus of 42, and helped set multiple NBA playoff records.
• Tom Crean, his former college coach, believes Anunoby is 'taken for granted' nationally despite his elite two-way play.
• Anne Hathaway publicly declared her fandom, considering wearing an Anunoby jersey on national television.
• Anunoby's $212 million contract is the largest in Knicks history, reflecting his value to the franchise.