By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After spending the entire fourth-quarter periods at the bench in the New York Knicks‘ last five matches prior to last night’ 122-119 double-OT loss to the Chicago Bulls, Enes Kanter saw some late action in Wednesday’s game.
However, it wasn’t much.The Turkish center jumped in for a span of five minutes during the fourth period until he was subbed with 2:30 remaining in regulation, never to return on court.
In his post-game comments, Kanter said that he has “no idea” why he’s out in the last stretch of recent games adding that “it feels weird.”
Per the New York Post:
“I don’t know why,’’ Kanter said. “What’d he say? I have no idea why. I guess it’s a little weird. I have no idea. I look at the coach. He looks at me. OK? I’ll sit on the bench.’’
Hornacek indicated O’Quinn has earned time in the fourth because of his defense, but Kanter hasn’t had that conversation with the coach.
“He did not [talk to me],’’ Kanter said. “I’m ready [to play in the fourth]. It’s a little weird to me too. I guess he’s trying to make everybody happy. That’s what he’s doing. The most important thing is if we’re winning or not. If we’re winning we’re good. If we’re losing, there’s a problem.”
Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said that it’s all about different skills and different needs his team requires in crunch-time situations and explained why he prefers to use Kyle O’ Quinn in fourth quarters.
Per the Post:
“How did KO do the last game?’’ Hornacek said when asked why Kanter is sitting. “We have guys who have different skill sets. KO is passing, [his] shot-blocking ability is different than Enes. Enes is a guy to get in the low post and jam it in through guys and get an offensive rebound.
“Sometimes you say, OK, KP is scoring. We need more defense. If we’re struggling scoring, maybe it’s Enes. But maybe we’ll start going big instead of small against some of these teams.”