It seems inevitable that New York Knicks fans will want to enjoy the championship glow with OG Anunoby.
They will likely want to celebrate the Knicks’ first NBA title in 53 years just as they did during the team’s parade. They will also likely want to talk to Anunoby about his tip-in that secured Game 4 in an epic come-back win over the San Antonio Spurs.
After spending most of his offseason trying to focus more on defending the Knicks’ NBA title than reliving it, perhaps Anunoby will oblige. He will appear at “The Essentia Supercharged Court” event on Tuesday from 1 pm to 5 pm ET in Times Square between 42nd and 43rd Street. So will the New York Gersh Park Streetball team.
Other than that public appearance, Anunoby will likely spend the rest of his offeason into ensuring he remains an elite two-way player in hopes to win his second NBA title.
Anunoby spoke to Fadeaway World on various topics, including the keys for the Knicks to defend their NBA title, his outlook on becoming a first-time All-Star and his reaction to LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joining the Philadelphia 76ers.
Editor’s note: The following one-on-one conversation has been edited and condensed.
How did the idea come up to partner with Essentia and be part of a court activation in Times Square?
Anunoby: “I’ve always been a fan of the brand. I always drank the water both on the court and off the court. It keeps me hydrated. Already liking the brand was easy. We also had the same vision. I think the court activation is going to be amazing. It’ll be a fun day for the fans. We’ll have a court shootaround. We’ll try to recreate the championship atmosphere. They can do whatever they want to do. But I think it’ll be a fun time.”
You’ve said you’ve made hydration a part of your routine for a while now. When did that start, and what has it done for you overall?
Anunoby: “Hydration overall is essential for everyone, but especially athletes. It’s important for muscle function, recovery and doing the things that you want to do. Essentia has always done that for me. I’ve always been a big fan.”
What other parts of your training regimen have been important to you?
Anunoby: “Weight room, getting stronger, stretching and all of the rest-recovery stuff with hot tub and cold tub. On the court, I’m just working on everything. I’m trying to improve on the court and the best that I can be.”
In light of your success last season and winning the championship, how are you trying to build off of that this offseason with your game?
Anunoby: “It’s to keep improving and to keep getting better and better. Our goal is the same: to win the championship next season. That’s everyone’s goal. But as far as me, it’s about getting better. It’s a feel thing. I think you can feel when you’ve improved. I think you know when you improve. Each year, I’ve felt that I’ve improved. So it’s about doing the same things that I’ve always done and not worrying about anyone else. I’m just worrying about myself and how I can do the best for myself and for my team.”
Given how well you’ve played, there’s talk about whether you can become an All-Star. What do you think it will take to become one?
Anunoby: “I think it’s about continuing to do the same things that I’ve been doing. I’m improving and helping the team win games. It’s about individual improvement and team improvement.”
As a team, what will take to defend the NBA title?
Anunoby: “It’s about picking up where we left off with the intensity. It’s different during the regular season. You do want to peak toward the end of the season, and not at the beginning. So it’s about understanding that it’s an 82-game season as well as trial-and-error. It’s about trying things. Maybe it doesn’t work. Maybe it does work. That’s what the regular season is for, to figure stuff out and learn so you’re ready for the playoffs.”
What is the key to peak at the right time?
Anunoby: “It’s about doing the same thing. It’s about not getting too high or too low. It’s about learning from each game, win or loss. It’s about not overreacting to wins or losses. It’s about focusing on improving day-by-day.”
You’ve said in other interviews that you’ve gotten over your iconic tip-in shot in Game 4 in the Finals. Why are you able to think that way, knowing what it meant for that game, the series and the reaction it sparked among your teammates and fans?
Anunoby: “I’m not over it as if I don’t care about it. It’s more about that I’m ready for the next season. It was fun winning a championship. It was amazing. But we all want to do it again. So it’s about getting ready to start the next season. Hopefully we can do it again.”
Even as you’re trying to prepare for the next title run, what have been the most memorable moments since winning the championship?
Anunoby: “All of it. I’m seeing all our fans, and how excited they are around the city and really around the world. I’ve also loved celebrating my teammates and coaches. We know how hard we worked for it and how long of a season it is. It’s a grind. So being able to win the championship has been very special.”
What was your reaction to the Sixers getting Jaylen Brown and LeBron James this offseason?
Anunoby: “That’s what the NBA is every year. Players move. There are trades and free-agency stuff. That’s just how it is and how it works. Everyone is just excited for the season to start and to play the games.”
The NBA schedule just came out. What do you think of playing the Sixers on Ring Night and in the NBA Cup and the Spurs on Christmas Day?
Anunoby: “I take it game-by-game. Opening night is the first one. So we’ll do what we need to do to prepare. Then as the season goes on, we’ll try to take it game by game. We never really look ahead to later matchups.”
