NEW YORK _ Enes Kanter describes himself as a man without a home. He has protection everywhere he goes, in case those sympathetic to the Turkish president wish to do him harm. He's essentially lost his job, and Knicks coach David Fizdale told him as much on Sunday, Kanter said. And soon, too, he might have to relinquish that Knicks jersey he loves so much.
And when he does feel at home _ like on Monday, when an injury to Luke Kornet meant he got to check in to a loud ovation from the Madison Square Garden crowd _ it is likely destined to be short-lived. Kanter doesn't want to leave. Though he stopped short of saying he's asked for a trade, he acknowledged Monday that the promise of a permanent seat on the bench is unappealing. Fizdale and Kanter both gave the same version of the conversation: Developing Mitchell Robinson and Kornet is the priority, and playing Kanter is not.
On Monday, that meant he was the fourth center in, after a short-lived experiment with Noah Vonleh at the position. Kanter played 19:14, with 11 points and three rebounds. He fully expected to earn the DNP, he said, and even got his cardio done before the game. But then Kornet sprained his ankle. The extent of the injury is still unknown and there is an MRI scheduled Tuesday.
