As the Knicks were playing the Rockets close in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night, Enes Kanter sat on the bench alone, away from an ongoing huddle during a timeout. The center had not played a minute up to that point, relegated to a reserve role as coach David Fizdale started one player after another over him in the last few games.



While the Knicks assembled, Kanter never left his seat. He listened as assistant trainer Anthony Goenaga talked to him, gesticulating, then moved over as Mario Hezonja sat down next to him. Hezonja had not played yet, and would not play, either. He put an arm around Kanter and delivered a message.



“Get the fuck up,” Hezonja said. “And cheer.”



Hezonja tried to counsel him about the importance of such small gestures. Although it is not uncommon to remain on the bench if a player is not in the game, Hezonja had learned early in his career in Orlando that it holds meaning to look...