The New York Knicks have a unique defensive player that is a key asset to the team, Richard Jefferson notes.
The Boston Celtics spent a night of false shooting against the New York Knicks in a surprising home loss in Game 1 of the Playoffs Series.
There have been criticisms about Jason Tatum and CO’s choice. Their permanent shooting three are stylistic features of the Celtics game that can sometimes betray them.
But there is another factor. How much of the Celtics’ tenacity in shooting from outside the Ark was because of the Knicks’ solid defense and the way they forced their opponents to make bad choices?
Former NBA star Richard Jefferson believes that one special Knicks player will bring it to all the opponents he faces.
OG Anunoby has been a strength throughout the season for the New York Knicks, a strong two-way player Kendrick Perkins compared to Scottie Pippen.
Talking to the Ryen Russillo podcast, Richard Jefferson compared OG Anunoby to Ron Artest, former NBA defensive player for Ron Artest, later known as Metta World Peace.
Jefferson explained: “With OG, he is physically strong and unable to bring him down from the defensive path. You can hit his walls and drive you out of your path with his power, you cannot turn the corner.
He explained in detail.
“Think about the boundaries that Ron is the most artistic, big, strong and perfect. If you’re here when he starts moving, you’re not going through him and pushing him.”
He compared challenges that differ from those with long wingspans like Timberwolves star Jaden McDaniels and Knicks teammate Michael Bridges.
“(Jayden) McDaniels, you can go through the (Michael) Bridge. You can’t go through Ron Artsest the same way you couldn’t pass through the OG.”
OG Anunoby did a strong defensive job with the Boston Celtics in a Game 1 victory, but data shows that he was an outstanding player with a major contribution overall.
Sofa Scole scored a 29-point level with Jalen Branson, ratings via Anunoby as the Knicks’ best player, on top of his defensive work.
Anunoby needs to maintain a series at all these levels and see if Boston can grasp his answers in Game 2 and beyond.
