The career path of two-way forward OG Anunoby highlights the interconnected history of the Eastern Conference, tying his development to the legends of the rival Toronto Raptors franchise.
Now a pivotal defensive cornerstone for the New York Knicks, Anunoby’s professional journey is underpinned by an early admiration for former Raptors great Tracy McGrady. Anunoby, who began his own career in Toronto, spoke to me on Scoop B Radio about the players who influenced his game, placing McGrady on an elite list of basketball idols. Anunoby confirmed his profound respect for McGrady, whose explosive offensive talent helped establish the Raptors in the late 1990s and early 2000s, stating, “Tracy McGrady was one of my favorites,” as he told me on Scoop B Radio.
McGrady, a Hall of Famer and two-time scoring champion, was an exotic blend of power and grace, a player who evolved from a versatile slasher in Toronto into one of the league’s most unstoppable offensive forces in Orlando and Houston, capable of scoring from any spot on the floor with deceptive ease and remarkable fluidity.
His appreciation for the legends of his youth extended beyond McGrady, also acknowledging the immense impact of Allen Iverson and noting the former MVP’s infamous crossover dribble as a moment he still admired, contrasting the electric point guard’s handle with McGrady’s commanding size and versatility. Interestingly, McGrady’s own entry into the league was fraught with a significant “what if” moment that ties into NBA history: the famous rumor that Chicago Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause nearly traded Scottie Pippen to Toronto for the rookie McGrady, a deal reportedly vetoed by Michael Jordan.
This early career speculation only added layers to the lore surrounding McGrady, a player whose destiny seemed tied to extraordinary potential from the start. Anunoby’s fandom, however, focused purely on the spectacle McGrady delivered, defining a specific era of spectacular play.
The forward’s appreciation was deeply rooted in McGrady’s most unforgettable moments of scoring brilliance, as he specifically called out “The game when he went against the Spurs,” citing the legendary performance where McGrady scored 13 points in just 33 seconds. T
his dramatic comeback on December 9, 2004, against the defensive powerhouse San Antonio Spurs, remains one of the most revered clutch performances in NBA history. McGrady himself would later admit he had been struggling with his shot for most of the game, only to feel an instantaneous, almost divine surge of confidence in the final minute.
The sequence was miraculous: a barrage of four three-pointers, including a game-tying four-point play over the outstretched arms of Tim Duncan, followed by a crucial steal on the ensuing inbound, and capped by a step-back three with 1.7 seconds left to secure the improbable 81-80 win. McGrady described the experience as an “out-of-body experience” where all his “superpowers just came back,” capturing the essence of a player fully submitting to a moment of greatness.
Anunoby also showed appreciation for McGrady’s gritty playoff efforts, reflecting on the 2003 first-round series against the Detroit Pistons. “It was a good series. Plus I liked McGrady too and I was just a fan of the NBA at that point,”Anunoby recalled of the series, which saw McGrady deliver historic individual scoring efforts with games of 43 and 46 points.
The series, despite the painful collapse of a 3-1 lead, became a defining moment of McGrady’s career, showcasing his sheer dominance over a formidable Detroit team, including a memorable dunk over center Mehmet Okur that Anunoby noted.
The contrast between McGrady’s complicated legacy—marked by scoring titles and highlight reels but limited team success—and Anunoby’s current reputation as an ultimate complementary player makes the admiration particularly insightful.
Anunoby’s transition from growing up admiring McGrady’s offensive fluidity to becoming the key defensive wing for the Knicks provides an interesting twist in his story. The forward’s two-way skills—which include a remarkable 7’2″ wingspan and elite versatility—have made him an essential component of the Knicks’ modern identity. He has earned recognition as an elite stopper, being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and leading the league in steals in 2023, showcasing a dedication to the defensive end that sometimes took a backseat to
McGrady’s spectacular offense.Anunoby, with his quiet intensity and positional versatility, embodies the modern premium placed on the two-way wing, making him the antithesis of the pure scoring spectacle McGrady represented. While his idol defined an era of thrilling offense in the North, Anunoby is now embracing his role in the highly competitive atmosphere of Madison Square Garden, focusing on defense and winning for one of the league’s most storied franchises, successfully charting a course that integrates historical appreciation with contemporary excellence.
