Rich Paul Labels OG Anunoby Finals MVP After Jaylen Brown’s Endorsement

OG Anunoby had quite a few game-altering moments in the second of the NBA Finals clashes at Madison Square Garden.

Rich Paul Labels OG Anunoby Finals MVP After Jaylen Brown’s Endorsement

OG Anunoby gets praise from Jaylen Brown and Rich Paul (Image via FirstSportz)

Before the NBA Finals even started, it was Jalen Brunson who was leading the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and the others in their quest to win a championship.

That expectation was justified, as the point guard has been the leading scorer and creator for the New York Knicks in each of their three playoff series this year.

In the first two runs, he was asked to step up, and he rightfully did so to start a 13-game winning run that ended in the third battle against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden.

The way Brunson single-handedly dismantled the Cleveland Cavaliers made him the worthy Eastern Conference Finals MVP. That is why he was the favorite, along with Victor Wembanyama, to win the Finals MVP.

But in the first two games of the most important seven-game battle of the year, it was Karl-Anthony Towns who stood up as the most important player for the Knicks.

The way he scored and defended against Wembanyama made him Charles Barkley‘s Finals MVP favorite. But after Game 4, that notion has changed.

He’s been the most reliable on the Knicks in this series on both ends of the floor. He shot it well from 3, he’s guarded, made the hustle plays, getting the 50-50 balls. When you look at his overall impact on the series and each game, it’s been OG.

Rich Paul said on the Game Over Podcast

This was the super agent making it clear that Game 4 changed the notion about how fans look at OG Anunoby. The way the forward makes plays on both ends of the floor, the NBA has to give him the Bill Russell Award.

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Jaylen Brown had initiated OG Anunoby Finals MVP conversation

Rich Paul and the rest of the NBA may be catching up on what OG Anunoby has done so far in the NBA Finals, but the groundwork was laid when the 28-year-old tipped in Jalen Brunson’s missed three-point attempt.

OG Anunoby's game-sealing block on De'Aaron Fox
OG Anunoby’s game-sealing block on De’Aaron Fox (Image via Everything Knicks/X)

OG Anunoby is different.

Jaylen Brown wrote on X

This was the Boston Celtics superstar who first mentioned his fellow two-way star’s name during that game. It may not be a direct reference to his role as the Finals MVP, but coming from one who won it in 2024, doing the exact thing the Knicks star did was telling.

Jaylen Brown won the award over illustrious teammate Jayson Tatum after doing the hard work on both ends of the floor. He was the one guarding Luka Doncic in the 2024 Finals, and Brown’s defense was touted as the direct reason why the Slovenian’s offensive impact was reduced.

That is why, since the Celtics star’s tweet, almost everyone has been discussing OG Anunoby’s performances and the potential of him winning the Finals MVP over Brunson.

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Manhattan Borough honors OG Anunoby

OG Anunoby winning the 2026 Finals MVP depends on how he performs in the next game(s). It also depends upon how Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns perform.

It is a tough battle, considering most of the Knicks’ plays are designed for those two. But in the event the London-born player does not win it, he will still have something to hold onto in the city.

In my power as Manhattan Borough President, I have declared today OG Anunoby Appreciation Day in Manhattan.

Brad Hoylman-Sigal wrote on X

This, coming from the Manhattan Borough President, means that no one will take away Jun 11th from OG Anunoby. The day has been declared, at least in that Borough, as a day to appreciate what he did to complete the 29-point comeback.

That performance, and the late-game clutch efforts, will likely help the Knicks win their first NBA championship in more than five decades. With this, the former 23rd overall pick goes from becoming a celebrity fan-favorite to an immortalized member of the Knicks.

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