OG Anunoby received a crash course on Tom Thibodeau’s system and will make his Knicks debut in Monday’s game against the Timberwolves.
Two days after he was acquired from the Raptors in a deal that shipped RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley north of the border, Anunoby took part in a morning walk-through and said several times he is “excited” to join the Knicks.
“Just to start playing, just excited to get it going with my teammates, and play at MSG in front of the fans. Just really excited,” Anunoby, who will wear No. 8, said during a pregame press conference. “I think it’s a tough group, resilient group and we all just want to win. So, I think I’ll fit right in with that. Just doing anything it takes to win games.
“I always loved playing here as an opposing player, so to play here, play all my home games here, is really exciting.”
The 26-year-old London native is considered one of the better “3 and D” players in the league, leading the NBA in steals last season and connecting on 37.5 percent of his career 3-point attempts.
The 6-7 wing, who won an NBA title with the Raptors in 2019, believes Thibodeau’s style suits his game.
“I think so. I think I’m a tough player. His players are tough, they play hard, they play to win. I think I do all of those things,” said Anunoby, who arrived in New York on Sunday. “I got sent some plays. And then I came early, and went through some plays on the court.
“Offensive and defensive terminology, talked to the coaches, and we just had a walkthrough, a little bit more of the same. Just gonna review some more stuff before the game, and just try to get ready.”
Anunoby was joined in the trade by Toronto teammates Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, although the latter was ruled out for Monday’s game with an ankle injury.
Anunoby, who referred to the Garden as “an iconic place,” can become a free agent after this season, but he is represented by CAA, the agency Knicks president Leon Rose formerly ran.
“I just take it day-by-day. I let my agents handle that stuff,” Anunoby said. “When the time comes, figure it out, but I’m really excited to be here.”
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