The Cleveland Cavaliers came back from being down by 23 points on Monday night as they beat the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 104-101.
Controversy was sparked before the game when Knicks big man Enes Kanter addressed Cavs superstar LeBron James‘ comments surrounding the Knicks and their first-round draft pick. Kanter took exception to James saying that the Knicks should’ve drafted Dallas Mavericks point guard Dennis Smith Jr. over eighth pick Frank Ntilikina.
“I don’t care who, I just cannot let anyone disrespect my family like that, because when I play for an organization, I see my teammates and that organization as like a family,” Kanter told reporters on Sunday. “And it doesn’t matter if it’s LeBron or whoever it is, I cannot just let him disrespect him like that. The coaches, the GMs, the president, this organization knows what they’re doing. … I mean, come on. That’s a rookie. You cannot just say anything like that about him.
“I don’t care, it doesn’t matter LeBron or whoever it is. I don’t care who. I cannot let anyone disrespect my family like that.”
After Monday night’s game, although the Knicks blew a 23-point lead and their sixth loss of the season, Kanter would not stop running his mouth as he took another shot at James.
Enes Kanter, who scuffled with James: "I don't care who you are. What do you call yourself? King, Queen, Princess. Whatever you are. We're going to fight. Nobody out there is going to punk us." Wow
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) November 14, 2017
It’s clear at this point, James and Kanter do not like each other, however, the only thing that matters is what happens on the court, and King James got the best of Kanter and the Knicks on Monday night.
The Cavs will look to keep the momentum going as they travel to face the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
