C-Mac: Knicks made 'horrendous mistake' by starting OG Anunoby

The Knicks tried to galvanize their group in Sunday's game seven by starting OG Anunoby, just a week removed from a hamstring strain in game two.

But the Knicks' top defender was nearly immobile on the defensive end, and lasted just five minutes before coming off the floor for the rest of the game. Starting Anunoby in the first place was a massive mistake in the eyes of C-Mac.

"Starting OG Anunoby was a horrendous mistake," C-Mac said.

"I hated starting a hobbled Anunoby. I think it reeked of desperation, and this is a team that has been the opposite of desperate the entire year. This is a team that nearly stole game three without him, and blew out the Pacers by 30 points in game five without him."

Perhaps Tom Thibodeau was looking to recreate Willis Reed's dramatic return in game seven of the 1970 NBA Finals by penciling in Anunoby, but C-Mac says it more showed a lack of belief in the few players left who were still healthy.

"I don't care that he hit his first two shots. To watch him barely able to move, I'm sorry, it screamed, 'We don't think we can win without him,'" C-Mac said.

"A Hail Mary in game seven, when you've won game five without him by 30 points…I think it spoke to both the team and the Pacers."