Kanter’s play halts Willy’s development

There are those around the city losing their minds about young center Willy Hernangomez basically falling from the Knicks rotation, with “Why, why, why?” a constant cry.

Essentially, three words have brought about the inactivity for Hernangomez: “defense” and “Enes Kanter.”

Defense is not high on the list of Kanter’s attributes, either, but the 25-year-old, seventh-season veteran is more advanced offensively than Hernangomez, who has been told by coach Jeff Hornacek to sharpen his defensive skills.

Kanter, 6-foot-11, produced 27 points and 17 rebounds and shot 12-of-20 in his first two Knicks games — both starts, which is one more start than he had with the Thunder his previous two years. He did, however, start all but one game in 2014-15, which was split between Oklahoma City and Utah.

“Right now, they are telling me, ‘Just go to work every time when you’re oneon-one, but when they come double-team, make an extra pass, find an open man, and they will make the shot,’ ” Kanter said. “That’s truly important that we move the ball and everybody touches the ball, everybody is happy.”

Asked whether he is pleased with starting, Kanter deferred to the success of the team.

“We win, I’m good,” he said. “We win, I’ll play one minute, I’ll play 48 minutes. That’s what really matters. That’s what everybody is playing for — going out and winning. That should be everybody’s task. If we win, we’re good.”

The Knicks, who play in Boston on Tuesday, are 0-2, so good is another matter. CENTER STAGE: Enes Kanter has been an early bright spot for the Knicks.

One area where Kanter has been good early is in his developing on-court chemistry with Kristaps Porzingis, who has been a supporter of playing time for Hernangomez. Still, Kanter and the biggest building block in the Knicks’ future blueprint has worked well. And nothing is forced. It has developed, Kanter said.

“Yeah, I even told him, ‘Hey, let’s play pick-androll,’ because it’s impossible to guard him in pickand-roll — two big men, especially [him at] 7-3, and he can dribble [and] shoot the ball,” Kanter said. “It’s going to be interesting because we are getting more used to playing with each other in practice and especially on the court. It’s going to get better and better.”