TORONTO — The silence and compliance is not an act from OG Anunoby. The Knicks forward went about his business with the same introversion in Toronto, says his good buddy and former teammate.
“You guys think that’s a persona but that’s really who he is,” Raptors forward Chris Boucher said ahead of Saturday’s matchup against Anunoby on Saturday at MSG.
Boucher, a Canadian, gravitated toward Anunoby during their six seasons together in Toronto, appreciating the quiet nature of the 3-and-D specialist.
It’s a characteristic that’s already been on display in New York from Anunoby, who answers media questions with the brevity — but without the annoyance — of a teenager quizzed about his day at school.
No words can be wasted because there are so few.
His interview with MSG Network on the court last week went viral not only because of Anunoby’s enthusiasm for quick-hitting cliches but also his desire to hold the microphone for each answer.
“That’s what you guys are going to get all the time. Don’t be surprised,” Boucher said. “It’s just his personality. That’s how he became my best friend, to be honest with you. At first I was like, ‘Man, why is he like that?’ And when I realized that’s really who he is, I was like, ‘Well, you could always work with people like that, people who stay to themselves regardless of what happens.’ ”
Still, Boucher and Anunoby found common ground outside of basketball.
They talked about music and art — “our conversations could go anywhere,” he said. Boucher whipped out his phone to show his most recent texts with Anunoby, which included exchanges of Michael Jackson recommendations.
Boucher shared “Rock My World.” Anunoby chose “They Don’t Care About Us.”
It reminded Boucher of another former Raptors teammate, the famously succinct Kawhi Leonard.
“It’s kind of like a Kawhi-type. Where everybody is like Kawhi is so quiet, but then after you’re around him, you’re like, OK, ‘OG is like that,’ ” said Boucher, who is planning to meet Anunoby for dinner on Friday night in snowy NYC. “I feel like he talks a lot more when the cameras are off. Which I appreciate, too. I like a guy who can keep a secret.”
The Raptors (16-26), losers of five of their last six heading into their final MSG game of the season, are certainly missing Anunoby on the court.
He was their defensive stopper, and their defense has plummeted while allowing 121.4 points per game since his departure.
They’ve tried to make up for it with fast-paced scoring from the new additions, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, who are thriving with greater responsibilities.
But there’s a reason Anunbody compelled so much of a trade return.
The Knicks (25-17) are 8-2 since the swap and own the league’s best defensive rating in that stretch.
They’ve outscored opponents by 173 points with Anunoby on the court, the NBA’s highest plus-minus through the first 10 games with any team in history.
Not bad for the man of few words.
“I’ve been with OG for like [six] years now. I’ve seen his growth, I’ve seen what he’s capable of doing,” Boucher said. “Who would not want a guy who could guard the best guy on the court and shoot the ball? He’s not asking for shots. He’s just doing it. Really low maintenance guy.”
Part of the reason the Raptors dealt Anunoby was his upcoming free agency, which will certainly result in a contract in the nine figures — probably from Knicks president Leon Rose.
Dealing Anunoby was about jump-starting a rebuild for the Raptors, while the Knicks are happy about the way it worked out.
“[Anunoby’s] not going to stop,” Boucher said. “If you come back and tell me he’s not playing well I’m not going to believe you.”
But now Boucher and the Raptors have to face the quiet defensive stalwart for the first time.
Anunoby will probably be chasing around Scottie Barnes, who jokingly said Thursday night, “I’m not worried about that.”
“He’s a great defender,” Barnes added. “We just got to execute our game plan.”
