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Mike Brown Urges First-Team All-Defense for OG Anunoby as Eligibility Question Lingers

A minutes-based NBA rule leaves the Knicks wing one appearance short of awards eligibility.

Overview

  • Following Friday’s 136-96 win over the Bulls, Knicks coach Mike Brown called it unfair that OG Anunoby has just one past All-Defense nod and pressed voters to put him on First Team.
  • The NBA requires 65 games of 20-plus minutes with up to two games between 15 and 20 minutes, and reporting from the Daily News indicates Anunoby still needs one more qualifying game to be eligible.
  • Anunoby’s case leans on impact as well as box score stats, with 1.6 steals per game and top-tier marks in defensive rating and net rating among high-minute players.
  • Anunoby said making All-Defense was a goal this season and added that he believes he should have more selections, preferably First Team.
  • New York has four regular-season games this week, giving Anunoby a clear path to reach the minute threshold and a final chance to shape ballots against the Hawks, Celtics, Raptors, and Hornets.