The Garden was in disarray on Wednesday night (Jan. 23). Not only did James Harden drop 61 points leading his Houston Rockets to victory, New York center Enes Kanter had some choice words for his coaching staff following the loss.
"I want to play basketball. We're all competitors. I want to play basketball. So just if you're going to play me here, play me. If not, then just get me out of here," Kanter said before stating, "My job right now is just cheer for my teammates and try to be a good teammate. (But) what they're doing to me is pretty messed up. I deserve way better."
Last week it was detailed that "what (the Knicks) are doing" is removing Kanter from their rotation in order to develop the team's young big men. However, after the injury to Luke Kornet, coach David Fizdale said he was leaning towards starting Kanter against the Rockets. This stance continued until the game was underway when it seems Fizdale changed his mind and Kanter recorded a DNP. According to Fizdale, his decision to renege on starting the veteran lay in the team's attempt to stop James Harden.
"I was thinking how much speed I can keep on the floor to just balance it and keep up with him and be able to challenge him," Fizdale explained.
Fizdale's last-minute decision to bench Kanter did not fix the Knick's issues. James Harden continued his monumental season. His 61-point outing is the second highest performance to happen at Madison Square Garden and ties Kobe Bryant as the most points scored by an opponent in the building.
