OG Anunoby Talks Knicks' NBA Title Win, Opening Night vs. LeBron, 76ers and More in B/R Interview

It's been nearly a decade since the NBA has seen a repeat champion, and despite the New York Knicks' dominant run to the 2026 title, many feel that trend will continue.

FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Oklahoma City Thunder (+230) and the San Antonio Spurs (+280) with better odds than the Knicks (+900) to win the 2027 NBA championship, despite the Knicks defeating the Spurs in five games in the 2026 NBA Finals. Numerous pundits have touted the Philadelphia 76ers as the title favorites after their busy summer, which included trading for star guard Jaylen Brown and winning the sweepstakes for legendary forward LeBron James.

However, for the Knicks' soft-spoken defensive ace OG Anunoby, the constant hot takes and predictions won't mean a thing as New York tries to defend its championship during the 2026-27 season.

"Oh, it really doesn't matter. When the games start, even the regular season, playoffs, just like right now, anyone can say anything, and it doesn't really matter," Anunoby told Bleacher Report. "Just because they say it doesn't mean it's true or not true. Nothing really matters right now."

Anunoby's mellow response is typical for the mild-mannered swingman, but his impact on the Knicks' first championship since 1973 cannot be overstated.

The 29-year-old brought his best when it counted the most, upping his scoring average from 16.7 points per game in the regular season to 21.2 ppg in the NBA Finals while shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from three-point range. He capped off New York's unbelievable 29-point comeback victory in Game 4 with the game-winning tip-in, which earned him an ESPY Award and will go down as one of the most iconic moments in NBA Finals history.

Anunoby is the only member of the Knicks roster who is now a two-time champion, having won a title in his second season in the NBA in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors. That victory kicked off a run of eight straight years with a different NBA champion, and Anunoby revealed what it would take for the Knicks to avoid the same fate.

"Just focusing on growth and getting better each game and not really worrying about anyone else," he said. "Just focusing on ourselves, trying to improve and be our best, not worrying about any outside distractions."

Still, it's hard to deny the amazing vibes that have lasted throughout the summer following the Knicks' championship win. Anunoby said he and his teammates have been embracing the love and support, even outside of New York.

"It's been amazing, all the fan support all over the country, all over the world, it's really amazing and special to see," he said. "And I think even my teammates will agree with me. We're very appreciative of it. We love our fans."

Anunoby will be giving fans in New York City a treat on Tuesday afternoon after partnering with Essentia Water for the Essentia Supercharged Court takeover in Times Square, starting at 1 p.m. ET. He will personally take the court alongside the iconic New York Gersh Park Streetball team to recreate his Game 4 tip-in, and fans will get to enjoy running the interactive arena tunnel and other court activations.

"I've always been a fan of Essentia on and off the court. I've always loved the water. So loving it made it easy to want to partner with them," Anunoby said. "And then also, we just have the same vision, the same motto, 'Change the equation.' And the event will be really fun for all the fans. I think it'll just be a special time in Times Square."

While New York fans are still in celebration mode, the Knicks are already starting to turn the page. Star point guard and NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson recently said that he moved on from celebrating over a month ago after undergoing wrist surgery. Anunoby echoed that sentiment, saying he's already looking ahead to the 2026-27 campaign.

"Yeah, looking forward to the season starting," he said. "I mean, it starts in like six weeks or something, I don't know. It's about to come up really soon. So yeah, just focusing on the next season, preparing, resting, and then trying to improve all at once."

As the reigning NBA champions, the Knicks will be under the spotlight with a whopping 34 nationally televised games, the maximum that the league allows. Their first NBA Finals rematch against the Spurs will come on Christmas Day, the sixth straight year that they're playing on the holiday.

"Just because it's on Christmas, it's special. I think playing on Christmas is an honor, and I think we're all very happy we get to play on Christmas," Anunoby said. "And then playing the Spurs, a great team. It'll be fun to play them again."

But first, New York will open the year with a championship ring celebration in front of its home fans at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20 before taking on the new-look Philadelphia squad led by James and company.

"I mean, anytime you get to play against a player like LeBron, it's an honor, especially because he might retire pretty soon," Anunoby said of the highly anticipated season-opener. "So, it'll be pretty cool. And I mean, they're a great team with a lot of great players. They've added a lot of guys this summer. And they're very well coached, Nick Nurse. So I think it'll be a really fun opening night."