New York Knicks: Who stepped up against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 13?

Enes Kanter

The first member of the New York Knicks to step up and defend Frank Ntilikina was Enes Kanter. That was true both on and off the court, as Kanter took to social media to respond to LeBron James, and to the hardwood to do the same.

Coupled with the fact that Kanter was one of the best players on the floor, he undeniably deserves to be listed as one of the players who stepped up.

Statistically, Kanter poured in 20 points, 16 rebounds, seven offensive boards, and four assists in 31 minutes of action. He shot 9-of-15 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free throw line in yet another efficient display on offense.

Beyond the numbers, Kanter continued to establish himself as an enforcer of sorts for a Knicks team that’s beginning to get back to its roots.

When LeBron James attempted to punk Frank Ntilikina, Kanter had his rookie’s back. He got directly into James’ face and sent Madison Square Garden into a frenzy, reminding fans of the glory days that were the 1990s.

The Knicks may have lost this game, but Kanter’s statistical brilliance and leadership led New York one step closer to discovering its identity.