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

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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) /

3. Filling A Pivotal Role

The New York Knicks are going to push the pace and stretch the floor during the 2017-18 NBA season. Even the fastest of offenses require balance, however, and consistent post play is one of the most reliable paths to doing so.

Willy Hernangomez could check this box, but Enes Kanter has proven to be one of the league’s elite scorers from the low post.

Kanter finished the 2016-17 regular season at No. 5 in the NBA in points via post ups per game. He ranked No. 3 in points per possession on post ups, trailing only Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

That legitimately elite level of proficiency in the post could become a foundational piece of New York’s offense, as it would essentially make up for the departure of Derrick Rose.

Say what you will about Rose, but when the Knicks needed a quick basket in 2016-17, he stepped up with his drives to the basket. Without a proven slasher on the roster, New York can now turn to Kanter for an easy two when it most desperately needs one.

If the Knicks compete for a spot in the 2018 NBA Playoffs, then Kanter’s ability to consistently go to the post would have to be appreciated as a stabilizing force.

In turn, his improvement would be going from an afterthought in Oklahoma City to a vital contributor to a postseason-caliber team.

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