New York Knicks: Who stepped up against the Houston Rockets?

Enes Kanter

Not much worked for the New York Knicks on offense against the Houston Rockets. That was due in large part to the fact that the Knicks attempted to keep up with the Rockets by working in isolation and attempting long jump shots.

When the Knicks ran their offense and worked the ball inside, however, Enes Kanter was able to score at virtual will from the post.

Kanter only played 18 minutes, but he tallied 12 points, six rebounds, and two offensive boards. He converted all six of his field goal attempts, pounding Houston’s interior with his physical post play and rebounding well on both ends of the floor.

That power-based approach to offense was a driving force behind New York’s early success, and one could argue that the abandonment of it led to the overall loss of an offensive identity.

Kanter will need to improve on defense moving forward, but he’s proving that his offensive prowess isn’t at all system-based. He’s a tormenting offensive player who not only creates out of isolation, but bruises interiors.

The Knicks can’t realistically play a post-based big man during a lopsided game, but Kanter is making his offensive value known to head coach Jeff Hornacek.