LeBron James gave the Knicks their flowers for their NBA championship run, naming OG Anunoby as the unsung hero of their title push.
LeBron James had huge praise for the New York Knicks following their run to the NBA Finals.
OG Anunoby
Position SF, SG
Age 29
Height 201 cm
Weight 109 kg
Birth place London, Great Britain
NBA legend believes New York's offensive evolution under Mike Brown played a major role in its success, while OG Anunoby emerged as the team's unsung hero during the title run.
Speaking during a live recording of his Mind the Game podcast at Fanatics Fest, James explained how the Knicks became less predictable after relying heavily on Brunson-led actions the previous season.
"I think they diversified their offensive portfolio," James said. "It was a lot of Jalen Brunson pick-and-rolls last year, and it allowed the defense to kind of key in on him."
James credited Brown with giving Towns a bigger playmaking role and creating more variety within the Knicks' half-court offense.
"I think what Mike Brown brought in was the little pinch post to get the ball to Karl-Anthony Towns in the pinch-post area, or at the top of the key, and let him be in the hub," James explained.
"And yes, at the end of the day, it would still get to Jalen Brunson, but it didn't allow you to just sit on one action."
James also highlighted the importance of New York's supporting cast, mentioning Jose Alvarado, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges.
However, he singled out Anunoby as the player whose contribution may have gone most overlooked.
"We know the glue guys like [Jose] Alvarado, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges, but obviously the unsung hero of the whole Finals run was OG Anunoby," James said.
LeBron James was ready to join Knicks
According to LeBron's longtime agent Rich Paul, James was prepared to join the Knicks if they had not won the title.
"If the Knicks hadn't won, there would be no board. He'd be going to the Knicks," Paul said on the Game Over podcast earlier this month.
"Jalen Brunson would literally have to pick up the phone and say, 'Hey man, there's no issue with me,'" Paul added. "They have checked in."
Three teams lead the race to land LeBron James
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers are ahead of the Golden State Warriors leading the race for the four-time NBA champion.
"Miami becomes a complete contender the moment he gets there. The Warriors would still need a little work," Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show.
"The big thing with the Warriors was packaging LeBron James with another star player. There's been no real traction between the Warriors and AD. To my knowledge, they are behind other teams such as Miami, Cleveland, and Philadelphia."
New York Didn't Want This Coach…
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