Fansided

Enes Kanter goes off, makes history against the Sixers

By Kareem Gantt

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Square Garden on November 20, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Square Garden on November 20, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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Who would have thought that Enes Kanter would join the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell on Christmas Day?

What do Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Bob Lanier and Enes Kanter all have in common? They all have recorded at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in a Christmas Day game.

The first three won’t really shock you, but the fourth player might. Yes, Enes Kanter made history in the New York Knicks loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, but that really shouldn’t surprise you all that much.

Kanter has long had the talent to produce on this level, but while he was with the Oklahoma City Thunder with the likes of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, Kanter didn’t get a chance to see the ball that much.

Now in New York, Kanter is a big part of what the Knicks try to accomplish night in and night out, and his talent is finally getting a chance to show through in the NBA’s biggest market. So when you factor all of this in, Kanter’s 31 points, 22 rebound day shouldn’t be that much of a surprise to anyone.

He always had the talent to produce games like this.

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Kanter is having a coming-out year in New York, where he is finally able to play his game and be an effective part of the success of the surprising Knicks. Playing alongside Kristaps Porzingis has opened up Kanter to be a menace in the paint, and look for the Knicks to utilize him even more as the season churns on.

Kanter was a man among men out there in Madison Square

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