Knicks Fall Short Against the 76ers
In a challenging match that saw the New York Knicks fall short against the Philadelphia 76ers, ending with a score of 116-107, head coach Mike Brown took a moment to address not just his team’s performance but also the officiating. The Knicks endured a tough night, committing 18 turnovers, but Brown’s concerns extended beyond the court errors, as he highlighted his unease with the way fouls were called, particularly regarding forward OG Anunoby.
Anunoby’s Struggles
Anunoby, who stands tall at 6 feet 7 inches and weighs 240 pounds, struggled to make an impact during the game, scoring a mere two points on just one field goal attempt out of nine. This performance was a stark contrast to his usual scoring average of 15.4 points per game, where he typically shoots at an impressive rate of 46.5 percent. Notably, his plus/minus rating of -11 reflected the challenges he faced.
Despite this disappointing outing, Brown defended Anunoby, suggesting that he should have received more calls when driving toward the basket.
“His aggression was evident, yet he was unable to reach the free-throw line,”
Brown noted. He elaborated on the disparity in officiating, arguing that Anunoby, due to his size and style of play, is not receiving the same treatment as smaller, quicker players in the league who can more effectively draw contact and earn fouls.
Officiating Concerns
In an effort to adapt to the game’s flow, Anunoby attempted to score through drives to the hoop, yet the lack of foul calls hindered his ability to capitalize at the free-throw line, where he boasts a career free-throw percentage of 76.1. Brown lamented,
“He’s hitting the basket like everyone else, so I’m perplexed about the lack of foul calls on those drives.”
Team Performance
The Knicks struggled as a unit, particularly from beyond the arc, managing only a 25 percent success rate on three-point attempts. Anunoby’s three-point woes—going 0-for-4—also contributed to his off-night. Mikal Bridges was the only player who excelled from deep, sinking three of his seven attempts.
While the Sixers were assessed 24 personal fouls to the Knicks’ 21, the disparity in free-throw opportunities didn’t escape Brown’s attention, as only Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mitchell Robinson were sent to the charity stripe for New York. In light of these events, Coach Brown’s observations underscore a broader conversation about officiating standards and how they can disproportionately affect players based on their physical attributes.
Conclusion
All in all, for the Knicks and Anunoby, this game served as a reminder of the importance of both gameplay execution and the critical role of fair officiating in leveling the playing field against their opponents.
