New York Knicks addition Enes Kanter is one of the four players fighting for the starting center job, and after only a few days of training camp and one preseason game, he seems to have impressed his new coach, Jeff Hornacek.
“The game has slowed down for him — I think he’s become better defensively on what teams are trying to do,’’ Hornacek told Marc Berman of the New York Post. “He didn’t play at Kentucky, [so] he was pretty raw his first year. Now he’s been around the league. He’s one of the best [true] centers in this league right now.’’
Kanter will be competing with Kyle O'Quinn, who started in the Knicks' preseason opener against the Brooklyn Nets, as well as Willy Hernangomez, who started the latter part of the 2016-17 season, and Joakim Noah, who will sit awhile before returning from suspension.
Article Continues BelowO'Quinn put up a quiet four points, five rebounds, and two blocks during 11 minutes on the floor, but it was Kanter who was favored throughout the game — scoring 17 points in 17 minutes on 4-of-8 from the floor and 9-of-10 from the stripe.
“We’re not going to be the greatest defensive team to start out,’’ Hornacek said. “Our makeup is a lot of offensive players. That’s something we need to get them to work every day to improve.’’
Rookie Luke Kornet can also figure at the Knicks' center battle royale, but he seems to be slated for a power forward role despite his 7-foot-1 frame.