Knicks star OG Anunoby stakes DPOY claim amid Draymond Green campaign

Knicks star OG Anunoby makes strong appeal for NBA 2025 DPOY award with Warriors star Draymond Green waiting in the wings.

Knicks star OG Anunoby stakes DPOY claim amid Draymond Green campaign

OG Anunoby and Draymond Green

A few players, both new and old, have had their names considered in the category of the top defensive players for this season. Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks, who has had an incredible season, would be a new name. One of the older ones is Draymond Green, who has once again shown himself to be the Golden State Warriors’ system’s catalyst.

However, it is the New York Knicks’ premier defender, OG Anunoby who has been making waves for his recent remarks regarding the DPOY award. O.G. Anunoby boldly put himself among the contenders for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, which is up for grabs with the season-ending honors drawing near. This was particularly after Victor Wembanyama injured himself.

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I should make First Team All-Defense and I should win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

OG Anunoby boldly told the New York Daily News

Interestingly, Anunoby also has the numbers to back his talk up this season. Over the last eight games, Anunoby combined defense and outstanding offense to score 27.5 points per game. Also, he is helping his HC Tom Thibodeau to overcome Jalen Brunson‘s absence. The Knicks have progressed to 48-28 in the 2024–25 Regular Season, and secured a spot in the 2025 Playoffs, thanks to Anunoby.

One advantage Anunoby has is that he is among the league’s top perimeter defenders, if not the greatest. He previously got selected to the All-Defensive Team for his unique skill set and abilities in that area. However, he was on the second team rather than the first. That was in 2023. Now, Anunoby feels he should be considered for the First Team this season, along with Defensive Player of the Year.

Given that, it won’t be easy for Anunoby to clinch the DPOY 2025 award, especially with stars like Green and Daniels waiting in the wings. All attention will drift onto the season-ending awards in a few weeks.

Draymond Green makes his 2025 DPOY case in a recent conversation

Having finished second behind Kawhi Leonard in two DPOY elections in 2015 and 2016, Draymond Green ultimately won the award when he led the NBA in steals per game throughout his 2016–17 season with the Warriors. Now, after 8 years, one of the “best chances” for Green to win a second Defensive Player of the Year Award is still the 2024–25 campaign, per Green himself.

At the end of his rookie season, Victor Wembanyama finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year race. However, he missed the remainder of his second NBA season because of a blood clot in his right shoulder. This spring, Green hopes to win the DPOY.

Give ’em young guys their credit, I think what they’re doing is amazing. I think this is one of the last, best chances I’ll have [to win DPOY].

Draymond Green told ESPN

Green has averaged 1.5 steals, the most since he finished third in the 2021 DPOY vote, 1.0 blocks, and 5.1 defensive rebounds per game in 61 games and 59 starts this 2024-25 NBA season. The four-time champion has a chance to win the DPOY this season once more.

NBA legend Reggie Miller chose his NBA 2025 DPOY winner

The NBA community has been discussing Draymond Green‘s pivotal defensive play versus the Los Angeles Lakers. NBA icon Reggie Miller, who was providing commentary on the game on TNT, was unreserved in his assessment of Green. On broadcast, Miller made it apparent that Green ought to receive the 2025 DPOY award.

In my opinion, he is the defensive player of the year. He disrupts everything that you game plan for… Give him the trophy already. Give him the trophy already.

Reggie Miller said

Green’s claim for the second DPOY award of his career was constantly going to require some media attention, despite his outstanding achievements. During the Dubs’ 123-116 victory over the Lakers, he received it.