Enes Kanter has proven himself to be a serviceable big man for the Knicks. He is currently averaging 13.4 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
Many have started seeing how Kanter can affect the game if given ample playing time, but recently, Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek has been reducing his minutes on the court.
Monday's nine minutes on the floor were Kanter's season-low.
According to the New York Daily News, Hornacek said that the reason behind Kanter's nine-minute game is tired legs. Hornacek just didn't want to tire out Kanter on the latter end of a back-to-back.
But Kanter didn't find the reason very logical.
“It feels weird. I'm ready,” Kanter said. “I don't make any excuse and say, ‘Oh I'm tired.'
“If he gives me a chance I'll go out there and play my hardest. But like I said, he just said I played a lot of minutes [on Sunday] so he's just going to keep subbing guys out. But I wasn't tired or anything during the game.'”
And the issue is not just about Monday's game, as Kanter has failed to play in seven of the last 11 fourth quarters.
A possible explanation is that the Knicks have a logjam at the center position, and Hornacek may just be rotating them more evenly. But this doesn't change the fact that Kanter is greatly affected by his diminishing role.
He is playing one of the best seasons of his career and the minutes reduction he is currently receiving may change very quickly if the Knicks keep losing games.
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