Hold onto your hats, Knicks fans! Josh Hart, the heart and soul of the New York Knicks, has a very specific wish for the upcoming playoffs: Anne Hathaway and Suni Lee in the stands. But this isn’t about celebrity sightings or Olympic glory. Hart’s campaign has a target, and it’s none other than Raptors star OG Anunoby. Why these two Hollywood heavyweights? The answer might surprise you. Read on to find out how Hart’s unorthodox strategy could tip the scales in the Knicks’ favor.
OG Anunoby’s Secret Weapon: Suni Lee and Anne Hathaway?
The Knicks’ Playoff Push and the Power of Celebrity
The Knicks will fare much better in their playoff series against the Pistons if Suni Lee or Anne Hathaway are in attendance at the Garden — at least that’s what Josh Hart seems to think. “We need Suni or Anne Hathaway at every game during this playoff run,” Hart joked on Friday’s episode of the “Roommates Show” with teammate Jalen Brunson. Hart’s humorous proclamation stems from the Knicks’ April 6 win over the Suns, where Lee, a U.S. Olympic gold gymnast, was in attendance. OG Anunoby had a particularly good night with 32 points in the win, leading some fans to speculate that the Knicks star upped his performance with Lee in attendance.
“I had so much fun” –– 2x Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee courtside with OG Anunoby
Anunoby and Lee also took a picture together after a December game. Back in November, Anunoby crashed into the front row while trying to track down a loose ball, knocking popcorn all over an unsuspecting fan. That fan was Hathaway, who later joked on her Instagram, “I almost got crashed into last night! I always wanted that to happen. Thanks OG!” OG Anunoby gets some stuff on Anne Hathaway
Anunoby replied simply in the comments, “You’re welcome.” The Knicks fell to the Bulls in that game, though, so perhaps New York would rather Lee show up to support the team.
Breaking Down the “Anunoby Effect”
While Hart laid out the hilarious, simple recipe for Anunoby’s success on the podcast, Brunson offered some legitimate insight regarding their teammate.
“What I’ve seen from [Anunoby] is a person who’s coming] in everyday, [doing] his job, [working] on his game,” Brunson said. “When we needed it most, he’s just stepped up. … He’s obviously a quiet guy, he’s a soft spoken guy, but when he goes out there he’s a different person — you can see by the way he plays.
Anunoby averaged 18 points and nearly five rebounds this season on 47.6 percent shooting from the field and 37.2 percent from 3-point range. Anunoby was on a tear from late March into early April, though, including the game against Phoenix that Lee attended. Anunoby averaged 27.6 points per game from March 20 to April 6.
“I don’t think any of us up here were surprised,” Brunson said of Anunoby’s late surge. “It’s just the timing of what he did, when he did it was just perfect for us and our team.”
Other Knicks News
MINNEAPOLIS — Carmelo Anthony is one step closer to the Hall of Fame. The former Knick was among the first-time nominees announced Thursday for the 2025 Naismith class, joining another familiar face, Amar’e Stoudemire, as well as Dwight Howard and Marc Gasol. Anthony, a Brooklyn native, is the lock of the NBA players in the class, sitting No. 10 on the all-time scoring list with over 28,000 points and 10 All-Star appearances.
Despite just 6 ½ seasons in New York, Anthony is No. 6 in scoring in Knicks history. He is probably the best Knick since Patrick Ewing — at least until Jalen Brunson’s career is over — but never advanced past the second round of the playoffs with the franchise.
Anthony’s other great seasons were with the Nuggets, who drafted him third overall in 2003. According to Front Office Sports, Anthony has been pushing for a TV analyst gig with the NBA’s new media deal taking effect next season and the integration of NBC and Amazon into the national games coverage.
Women’s basketball legends Sue Bird, a former Christ the King star in Queens, and Maya Moore were also nominated.
Mikal Bridges: The NBA’s Iron Man
Pushing the Limits: Fatigue and Resilience
Mikal Bridges not only eclipsed 500 straight games played as the NBA’s Iron Man, he entered Thursday leading the league in both minutes and distance traveled on the court. It’s the triple whammy of exhaustion but Bridges has nothing to complain about. “Yeah, I’m fine,” Bridges said. Bridges, 28, went into the Timberwolves game averaging a league-best 38.4 minutes, a product of the Knicks’ lack of depth as coach Tom Thibodeau leaned heavily on his starters.
Bridges was also averaging 2.96 miles traveled per game — No. 1 in the league — which is attributable to him being assigned to defend the opposition’s top perimeter threat. He expected to have another daunting challenge Thursday in Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, his former Team USA teammate.
“I know Ant being around him in USA. I know how he gets,” Bridges said. “He’s locked in and has that swag in him. So it’s always cool to be up for that challenge.”
Edwards’ Evolving Game
Edwards adopted a different playing style this season, entering Thursday launching far more 3-pointers per game (10.2) and burying them at a career-high 42.4 percent clip.
“He’s making them. So no matter which way he’s scoring, I don’t think you’d be a fan of any shots going in [against me],” Bridges said. “So I get it. People are saying he’s shooting more 3s, not getting to the rim as much, but the man can shoot. So I don’t like being there and him making contested 3s in my face all day. Or vice versa, getting past me and laying the ball up. Middies. Any of that.”
Knicks in the NBA Cup
Karl-Anthony Towns received one vote for the NBA Cup All-Tournament team. The Knicks, who had no other votes, were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Hawks. The All-Tournament selections were Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Damian Lillard (Bucks), Trae Young (Hawks) and Alperen Sengun (Rockets). Media voters picked the team.
The Knicks’ Road Ahead: Anunoby’s Value and the NBA Playoffs
Anunoby’s Statistical Dominance: Highlighting His Key Contributions
OG Anunoby’s impact on the Knicks this season has been undeniable. His statistical dominance speaks volumes about his role as a key player in their playoff aspirations. Averaging 18 points and nearly five rebounds per game, Anunoby has proven himself to be a versatile offensive threat, shooting with impressive accuracy from both the field (47.6%) and beyond the arc (37.2%). His ability to consistently knock down shots creates spacing for his teammates and makes him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.
The Impact of Depth: How the Knicks’ Roster Impacts Anunoby’s Performance
The Knicks’ success hinges on the strength of their depth, and this directly impacts Anunoby’s ability to perform at his best. With a solid supporting cast that includes players like Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett, Anunoby doesn’t have to shoulder the entire offensive burden. This allows him to focus on his strengths – scoring, defense, and creating plays – without being overworked or forced into taking unnecessary risks.
The Road to the Finals: Analyzing the Knicks’ Playoff Chances and Anunoby’s Role
The Knicks’ playoff journey will be a test of their resilience and ability to execute under pressure. Anunoby’s role in this quest will be paramount. His ability to consistently score, defend multiple positions, and make key plays in clutch moments will be crucial for their success. If the Knicks can maintain their defensive intensity and capitalize on Anunoby’s offensive firepower, they have a legitimate shot at making a deep playoff run.
Other Knicks Headlines
Melo’s Hall of Fame Bid: Carmelo Anthony Earns Nomination
Instachronicles reported earlier this month that Carmelo Anthony is one step closer to the Hall of Fame. The former Knick was among the first-time nominees announced Thursday for the 2025 Naismith class, joining another familiar face, Amar’e Stoudemire, as well as Dwight Howard and Marc Gasol. Anthony, a Brooklyn native, is the lock of the NBA players in the class, sitting No. 10 on the all-time scoring list with over 28,000 points and 10 All-Star appearances. Despite just 6 ½ seasons in New York, Anthony is No. 6 in scoring in Knicks history. He is probably the best Knick since Patrick Ewing — at least until Jalen Brunson’s career is over — but never advanced past the second round of the playoffs with the franchise.
Mikal Bridges: Iron Man of the NBA
Mikal Bridges has cemented his status as a defensive force and a true professional. Instachronicles reported that Bridges not only eclipsed 500 straight games played as the NBA’s Iron Man, he entered Thursday leading the league in both minutes and distance traveled on the court. It’s the triple whammy of exhaustion but Bridges has nothing to complain about. “Yeah, I’m fine,” Bridges said. Bridges, 28, went into the Timberwolves game averaging a league-best 38.4 minutes, a product of the Knicks’ lack of depth as coach Tom Thibodeau leaned heavily on his starters. Bridges was also averaging 2.96 miles traveled per game — No. 1 in the league — which is attributable to him being assigned to defend the opposition’s top perimeter threat. He expected to have another daunting challenge Thursday in Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, his former Team USA teammate. “I know Ant being around him in USA. I know how he gets,” Bridges said. “He’s locked in and has that swag in him. So it’s always cool to be up for that challenge.”
Conclusion
In a surprising turn of events, Josh Hart made a heartfelt plea for stars Anne Hathaway and Suni Lee to join him at New York Knicks playoff games, all in the name of wooing Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby. According to the New York Post, Hart’s charming strategy was aimed at enticing Anunoby to switch teams. The article shed light on Hart’s creative approach, which not only showcased his determination but also highlighted the competitive nature of the NBA.
The significance of this story goes beyond the realm of the Knicks or Raptors, as it reveals the lengths teams are willing to go to secure top talent. It also underscores the importance of relationships and personal connections in professional sports, where stars often become the face of their franchises. As we look ahead to future NBA seasons, it’s likely that we’ll see more creative recruitment strategies like Hart’s, with players and teams using every trick in the book to lure in the biggest names.
Ultimately, Josh Hart’s plea for Anne Hathaway and Suni Lee raises an intriguing question: what lengths will teams go to secure the next big star? Will we see more high-profile celebrity appearances or innovative recruitment tactics in the future? One thing is certain – the NBA is always evolving, and fans will be watching with bated breath as the drama unfolds. “In the cutthroat world of professional sports, it’s not just about winning games – it’s about winning hearts, and Josh Hart’s unorthodox approach has shown us that in the NBA, anything can happen.”