Knicks' OG Anunoby keeps eyes on Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defense honors

New York — OG Anunoby said in his first training camp interview that his goals for the upcoming season are clear: Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) and First Team All-Defense. The forward is widely regarded as one of the NBA's top stoppers, a label that has followed him since his days on the rise to becoming a Knicks regular. He has one prior All-Defense nod, a Second Team selection before he joined the Knicks, and he did not receive a single vote for DPOY last season. Still, Anunoby framed his ambition in unwavering terms and insisted the targets endure regardless of how distant they may seem to reach.

"Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Defense," Anunoby said in his first interview of training camp. "Those are always my goals." The lines between personal aspiration and on-court performance are not new for him, but the magnitude of the challenge remains substantial. For a player who has been recognized as a premier defensive stopper, the path to DPOY typically weaves through sustained team defense excellence, elite individual impact, and a strong surrounding roster. Anunoby's acknowledgment of the hurdles didn’t dampen his commitment; instead, it underscored a familiar refrain for a player who has long chased the pinnacle of defensive honors.

The road to those accolades is a demanding one, and Anunoby outlined a plan rooted in consistency and relentless work. He has consistently demonstrated the tools that make him one of the league's most disruptive defenders—length, anticipation, and a willingness to carry heavy defensive responsibilities on a night-to-night basis. Yet the awards landscape for defensive players is shaped by more than a single season of standout play. The DPOY honor has historically tracked with a combination of individual impact and the defensive achievement of the team as a whole, with votes often reflecting the defense’s overall effect on a franchise's fortunes. Anunoby acknowledged that translation from elite individual prowess to widespread recognition is a multi-year process, even for players who have already proven their ability to disrupt opposing offenses at a high level.

As the calendar turns toward the regular season, Anunoby's public commitments offer a window into his approach to training camp and beyond. He indicated that the goals are a north star to guide preparation, not a guaranteed outcome. The stratosphere of Defensive Player of the Year consideration tends to reward sustained performance across a season, health, and the ability to influence multiple facets of the game—defending on the ball, contesting shots, and protecting the rim, while also contributing to the offense when possible. Anunoby’s emphasis on these elements signals that his bid for top defensive honors will hinge on a holistic display of impact rather than a single standout sequence.

Days into camp, scouts and teammates will watch how the veteran defender integrates with his group, how he reads opponents, and how well he balances help defense with on-ball pressure. The race for DPOY and for a place on the All-Defense teams rarely advances in a straight line, and Anunoby’s comment underscores the patient, incremental work that accompanies pursuit of such honors. If his defense continues to influence outcomes game after game, and if his health and the surrounding team structure support sustained excellence, he could position himself for consideration in future seasons. For now, the focus remains on the grind of practice, film study, and the daily discipline that underpins any championship-level defensive performance.