OG Anunoby on Knicks defending title: ‘You want to peak toward the end’

The Knicks finally reached the top. OG Anunoby already is thinking about how they stay there.

Coming off New York’s first NBA championship in 53 years, Anunoby told Mark Medina of Fadeaway World that the Knicks can’t simply try to recreate their playoff intensity from October through April.

The idea is to build toward it.

“You do want to peak toward the end of the season, and not at the beginning,” Anunoby said. “So it’s about understanding that it’s an 82-game season as well as trial and error.”

Anunoby said the regular season should give New York an opportunity to experiment, learn what works and be ready when the games matter most.

“It’s about trying things,” he said. “Maybe it doesn’t work. Maybe it does work. That’s what the regular season is for, to figure stuff out and learn so you’re ready for the playoffs.”

That’s a different challenge for these Knicks. Last season was about reaching the mountaintop. This one begins with everyone trying to knock them off it.

Anunoby said the key will be avoiding the emotional swings that come with an 82-game schedule and continuing to improve regardless of individual results.

He also isn’t spending much time celebrating his memorable tip-in during the Finals.

“It was fun winning a championship. It was amazing,” Anunoby told Medina. “But we all want to do it again.”

Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference around New York has changed considerably, including Philadelphia adding LeBron James and former Celtics star Jaylen Brown.

Anunoby’s reaction?

“That’s what the NBA is every year,” he said. “Players move. There are trades and free-agency stuff.”

The Knicks will get an immediate look at the revamped Sixers. Philadelphia visits Madison Square Garden on opening night, when New York will receive its championship rings.