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New York Knicks: 5 reasons Enes Kanter can win Most Improved Player

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the preseason game on October 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 3: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during the preseason game on October 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Enes Kanter #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against Kyle O’Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2016 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 112-103. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Enes Kanter #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against Kyle O’Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2016 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 112-103. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4. Increase In Playing Time

Enes Kanter has never struggled to put up big numbers in limited action. The issue for Kanter, however, has been securing enough playing time to realize his potential and turn his production into sustainable success.

With the New York Knicks, Kanter will have a unique opportunity to receive an increase in playing time while shining under the spotlight of a major market.

Players whose increase in production can be tied directly to a rise in playing time don’t often win Most Improved Player—nor should they. When the context is provided, however, it creates a better understanding of the improvements that range beyond the statistics.

Kanter played just 21.0 minutes per game in 2015-16 and 21.3 minutes per game in 2016-17, which makes simply remaining on the court a potentially noteworthy feat.

It’s worth noting that the only sustainable stretch during which Kanter played upwards of 30 minutes per game came in 2014-15. In 26 games after the 2015 trade deadline, he averaged 18.7 points and 11.0 rebounds in 31.1 minutes per game.

If Kanter can provide similar contributions to the Knicks, it will be a direct result of him proving that he deserves to be on the court—perhaps the biggest improvement of all.

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