Enes Kanter: I Kissed Knicks Logo 'To Show the Fans Some Love for One Last Time'

New York Knicks center Enes Kanter has received very little time playing time as of late, so when he did finally get on the court on Wednesday night, he made the most of it by planting a kiss on the half-court logo at Madison Square Garden.

Enes Kanter Kisses Knicks Logo

That was his way of showing love to the fans.

"They know the love of New York I have in my heart. I have no problem with this organization. From Day 1, I loved this city, this organization, the fans. They opened their arms," Kanter said after posting five points in nine minutes in a 114-90 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, per the New York Post's Marc Berman. "It was kissing the logo—I love this team," Kanter said. "I was planning this for a long time. I was waiting to get back in. Who knows how much longer I will play here? I was able to show the fans some love for one last time—I have no idea."

Prior to Wednesday night, the eighth-year veteran had been used sparingly this month. He had made just one appearance during the team's prior eight games, recording a total of 19 minutes during that span. He had not played since Jan. 21, sitting on the bench for four straight games.

Kanter did not see any minutes against the Mavericks during the first half. With New York down by double digits early in the third quarter, the Madison Square Garden crowd started chanting for Kanter:

The Garden Clearly Wants Kanter

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Knicks coach David Fizdale ultimately gave the people what they wanted, inserting Kanter into the game with the team trailing by 16 points.

"He yelled out my name and I was like, 'Really?'" Kanter said, according to Berman. "I had to look around. 'Is he serious?' I got up and fans started to clap and I was like, 'This is really happening.'"

This was not the first time fans had called for Kanter to get onto the court. Fans chanted "We want Kanter" during Sunday's 106-97 loss to the Miami Heat. When Fizdale didn't oblige the home fans' request, Kanter took exception.

"It was probably the toughest," Kanter said of his benching against Miami, according to Berman. "[If] it was a road game, I understand. But it's a home game, and the fans wanted to see me out here. And they were chanting. I felt bad I couldn't go out there and help my teammates and the organization. You can't go out there and help the fans because they’re paying so much money to come watch us. They want to see me out there. When they don't, they start to get pissed. They want me to be out there."

It was just last week that a disgruntled Kanter vented his frustration to reporters after not playing:

He also recently told reporters that he wished Fizdale would be open with him about his role:

Kanter previously said, per the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy, that he was willing to accept any role as long as the team is winning. Well, Wednesday night's loss marked the Knicks' 11th consecutive defeat and their 19th in their last 20 games.

New York has between now and Feb. 7 to explore Kanter's market if it is going to try to get a deal done to move him this season. Given his production (14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game this season) and expiring contract, the 6'11", 250-pound big man could be an attractive asset for teams around the league.