SerpApi.Org
The New York Knicks were already a very good team, having reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025 before being ousted by the Indiana Pacers. With an All-Star duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns and a cast of players who had no problem working their butts off without the limelight ever shining on them, the Knicks had the personnel necessary to make a run at the title.
But they lacked a system that could leverage the players' strengths. With former coach Tom Thibodeau, renowned for leaning on his stars until their wheels fell off, this often led to predictable play that sophisticated defenses usually caught on to.
According to all-time great LeBron James, the key to unlocking the Knicks' championship aspirations was the variety of plays new head coach Mike Brown let his team run, which helped keep Brunson fresh down the stretch and even deep into their postseason run.
A Brunson-centric offense
With a scorer as potent and devastating as Brunson, it's an absolutely great idea to hand him the rock and let him cook, which was what Thibs let him do in his first three seasons with the Knicks. And while the 6'2" guard from Villanova delivered, the predictable offensive scheme often left him gassed while his teammates, who are just as talented, were left to spectate.
All that changed when Brown took over, and one major change he implemented was getting KAT more involved.
"The biggest takeaway I saw from the Knicks team from last year to this championship team was that they diversified their offensive portfolio. Last year, it was a lot of Jalen Brunson pick-and-rolls. A bunch of Jalen Brunson pick-and-rolls. That allowed the defense to key in on him," Bron said.
"When Mike Brown came in, he brought in the little pinch-post action. Getting the ball to Karl-Anthony Towns in the pinch-post area or at the top of the key and letting him be a hub," the legendary forward assessed.
While the ball still went to Brunson in crunch time, Bron said this tactic kept others engaged throughout the game.
"At the end of the day, it would still get to Jalen Brunson, but it didn't allow you to just sit on one action," LeBron conveyed. "I think that's what helped them a lot."
This year's playoffs saw Brunson still deal a lot of damage to opposing defenses, averaging 28.4 points per game. However, the other four starters also averaged double-figures with OG Anunoby sizzling with 20.1 points per game on an astounding 56.1 percent shooting.
Unsung hero
LeBron was undoubtedly impressed with OG's postseason run, going as far as to declare that the 6'7" forward was the Knicks' "unsung hero." While OG was solid in the Knicks' run through the East bracket, he raised his game in the 2026 NBA Finals, averaging 21.2 points and providing everything the Knicks needed in their battle against the young, talented San Antonio Spurs.
And of course, who could forget about his unbelievable game-winning tip-in that completed the blue and orange's comeback in Game 4?
"Obviously, the unsung hero of the whole Finals run was OG Anunoby, for sure. Every time I felt like the Knicks were either having a stretch where they couldn't score or couldn't get a stop, that guy made either a corner three or got to the hole," Bron commented. "Obviously, we all know the tip-in he had after that crazy comeback they made. So I thought OG deserved his props."
The Knicks will now enter the new season with a huge target on their backs, something that Brunson said they must all prepare for, especially if they want to defend their throne.
