Slowing down Victor Wembanyama required the particular OG contact.
With about 6 ¹/₂ minutes remaining and the Knicks trailing by 5, Tom Thibodeau ignored the dimensions distinction and caught his greatest defender — OG Anunoby — on the red-hot Wembanyama.
The end result was zero factors for Wembanyama on three photographs from that second, and an exhilarating 117-114 comeback victory for the Knicks.
“I mean, yeah, that’s OG. That’s who he is,” stated Mikal Bridges, who completed with 41 factors and outdueled Wembanyama — who remained at 42 factors the remainder of the best way, two wanting Wilt Chamberlain’s file for a Christmas debut — down the stretch. “We wanted him to protect him on the finish. He did a terrific job. I want he was on him a little bit earlier, but it surely’s simply OG man.
“Any size, any guy, he can guard from a point guard to the tallest dude in the NBA.”
Tom Thibodeau lastly made the change to Anunoby after Karl-Anthony Cities, the beginning middle, picked up his fifth foul and was subbed out.
Wembanyama, who’s 7-foot-3, didn’t even attempt to put up up the 6-7 Anunoby.
As a substitute, Wemby jacked up two 3-pointers on Anunoby after which took a pull-up midrange on Treasured Achiuwa after a swap.
“I told you, there’s only one guy like [Anunoby]. And it’s unique,” Thibodeau stated. “You can play him on a point guard, you can play him on a center. And so it’s his gift. He’s got great anticipation. He’s got great will to do it. He’s got great feet. He’s got quickness, anticipation, and he’s got length. And it’s hard to throw the ball over him. And if you mess around with it, he’ll take it from you. So that’s a huge advantage. Very unique.”
Wemby was profitable for many of the matinee towards Cities, who was a minus-13 in his half-hour.
Thibodeau stated switching Anunoby on Wembanyama was at all times a risk and Cities’ foul bother appeared to offer the impetus.
The opposite choice was Achiuwa — who was additionally on the ground — however Thibodeau went along with his All-Protection candidate.
“The game will dictate [what you do]. You know you have that [in your back pocket]. It’s part of what you do,” the coach stated. “What’s going on in the game? Is someone in foul trouble? Who’s got it going? Do you want to change the matchup to give him a different look? You go into the game knowing what the different possibilities are. You’re doing the prep work to play them and you’re watching what he’s doing against other teams so you’re saying, ‘OK, if this happens, you have to know what the next step is.’ ”
