New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby has confidently stated his case for the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award.
He believes himself deserve the title despite facing an uphill battle against other elite defenders whose teams boast superior defensive metrics.
“I think I should be on First Team All-Defense. I think I should win Defensive Player of the Year,” OG Anunoby declared without hesitation.
“I’ve always felt that way,” he added, showing the self-assurance that has defined his defensive identity throughout his career.
The former Toronto Raptors standout has legitimate credentials to back his claim.
Anunoby earned All-Defensive Second Team honors during his impressive 2022-23 campaign, finishing seventh in DPOY voting that season.
His defensive prowess translated seamlessly to New York, where he’s averaging 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
He‘s also in the fifth-highest mark among all NBA players in terms of contesting the three-points, with number 3.4
Anunoby’s case for DPOY is bolstered by performances like his recent outing against the Atlanta Hawks, where he registered one steal and three blocks while also pouring in 24 points.
His versatility to guard multiple positions makes him one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders.
However, team success often weighs heavily in award voting, and this is where Anunoby’s candidacy faces significant challenges.
Despite the Knicks sitting third in the Eastern Conference standings, their defensive rating ranks just 13th league-wide, a potential deal-breaker when comparing him to other DPOY candidates.
This middling team defensive performance places Anunoby at a distinct disadvantage against competitors.
Names like Draymond Green, Evan Mobley, and Luguentz Dort, all of whom have not only excelled individually but have been catalysts for their teams’ top-tier defensive rankings.
While Anunoby still has remaining games to strengthen his case, the combination of middling team defensive metrics and fierce competition means his DPOY aspirations will likely need to wait beyond the 2024-25 season.
