Enes Kanter taking on leadership role for the Knicks

New York Knicks center Enes Kanter has proven to be better than expected. He’s not only played well on the court, but has taken on a leadership role.

When the New York Knicks acquired Enes Kanter in the trade that shipped Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder, most fans were disappointed. Up until that point, Kanter had been a solid sixth man for the Thunder. He was a good low post scorer and rebounder, but he couldn’t play a lick of defense or space the floor with his jumper.

Knicks fans wanted Kristaps Porzingis to play the center position, and if not him, then certainly sophomore Willy Hernangomez. Nobody really wanted Kanter on the team.

A funny thing has happened just 20 games into the 2017-18 regular season.

Not only is Kanter having a fantastic season statistically, averaging 13.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, but he’s taken on the role of the leader for this Knicks squad.

Despite never really being known as a leader, Kanter has shown support for his teammates at every possible moment.

When LeBron James claimed that the Knicks should’ve drafted Dennis Smith Jr. instead of Frank Ntilikina, it was Kanter who was first to tweet out support.

And when James tried to intimidate Ntilikina during the Knicks-Cavs game by acting as a roadblock, Kanter sprinted down the court to get in the four-time MVP’s face, not letting him get away with the move.

It was Kanter who declared that Kristaps Porzingis was the King of New York, and not LeBron.

Kanter was the one who encouraged his teammates to instigate fights, offering to pay the fines for the probable technicals that would follow. No one quite knows whether this is Kanter finally realizing who he is, or if he’s trying to make a concerted effort to lead this team.

Either way, it’s great for the Knicks.

Porzingis is still trying to find his footing as a superstar, so burdening him with leadership responsibilities at this stage of his career might be asking a little bit too much.

Kanter has embraced this role more than anyone could have expected. He’s giving his young teammates a lesson in not backing down from an opponent.

Giving these young players an example of what a great teammate does not only builds chemistry now, but will help said contributors do the same when they become the veterans of the team and are looked at to lead by example.

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Enes Kanter has set a great standard for this New York Knicks team—one that will hopefully have ripple effects for years to come.

Not a bad contribution from someone who was a big question mark heading into the 2017-18 season.