New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale had a clear-the-air conversation with his center Enes Kanter after the team returned from London, hoping to explain his thought process amid the changes in the rotation.
Fizdale benched Kanter earlier this season and admitted his priority is to develop his young centers Luke Kornet and Mitchell Robinson through the remainder of the season.
“…I just had an open and honest conversation about having three centers now and just where we are from a team standpoint,” said Fizdale of his talk with Kanter, according to ESPN's Ian Begley. “Ten wins at this point of the season and two young, talented fives. I'm going to try my best to share those minutes but I do have a priority to grow (Mitchell Robinson and Luke Kornet).”
Kanter reportedly talked with the front office shortly after his benching, demanding an explanation as to why move on so early in the season after bringing him back for the last year of his deal.
Today's matinee game against the Oklahoma City Thunder is one tailor-fit for Kanter to go against one of the league's strongest center in friend and former teammate Steven Adams, but Fizdale insists on a trial by fire, hoping Kornet will have good fortune battling one of the most physical bruisers in the sport.
“He's an option for sure.,” Fizdale said of Kanter.” (But) I'm going to let Luke (Kornet) battle with him. Steven Adams is a beast but Luke battled Joel Embiid, who was arguably the best in the league. And he's as physical as they come. So this is a good lesson for Luke. I've got to put Luke in these situations. And let him go through this stuff.”
The Knicks have made it clear that their priority is growing through their youth, and Kanter would likely be forced to deal with the consequences for the remainder of the season until he can find another home in the summer.
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