Enes Kanter Calls Out Bogut, Calls Jazz Win

Jan 30, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Enes Kanter has been on a tear lately, making it difficult for Quin Snyder to bow to Utah Jazz fan and media wishes to start Rudy Gobert in his stead. In fact, Enes Kanter has played so well on the defensive end recently that he felt confident enough to call out Andrew Bogut and the NBA’s top team, the Golden State Warriors.

Over his last five games heading into the game against the Warriors, Kanter had averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds per game, including back-to-back games of 24 points and 17 rebounds and 23 points and 16 rebounds. Then he had only five points and 10 rebounds versus Bogut and the Warriors.

Enes Kanter’s been playing so well that he gets a pass for some good ole fashioned NBA trash talk. It’s hard to hate on confidence like this

But Enes Kanter didn’t even care about his offensive stat sheet tonight. He was focused completely on defense, on stopping his assignments after poking the bear with a big stick.

When asked about the sometimes volatile Aussie at shootaround, Enes Kanter replied,

"“Andrew Bogut, big guy, knows a little Turkish. I don’t know what to say about him. He’s just a down-low big guy, nothing special.”"

Kanter’s coach, Quin Snyder, wasn’t thrilled.

The Big Turk has been working relentlessly on his defense — a sticking point about his game vocalized loudly and recurrently for some time now. And Enes wasn’t done spouting off yet.

When asked if he’d seen Klay Thompson‘s record setting quarter, Kanter said, “I did, but who cares? I think we have the talent to guard him.”

While that last may have been along the lines of coach speak, Enes Kanter and Co. held true to their word tonight, beating the Warriors in impressive fashion, never letting the most explosive offense in the NBA this season go on a run of more than 6-0, holding an average lead of 10.11 points in what amounted to a relative blowout in Golden State’s terms.

Kanter’s defensive assignments on the night were David Lee, who had one point when guarded by Enes, and Draymond Green, who had three points when guarded by Enes. Bogut and Derrick Favors basically played each other to a first half standoff, Favors going 1-6 and Bogut going 0-1.

The Warriors’ Aussie center went scoreless in the game until the fourth quarter, when he had one gimme off of Stephen Curry penetration and one tip-in on a miss. Favors would find a way to get around Bogut, with the help of Trey Burke, finishing with 13 of his 15 points in the second half.

Joe Ingles goes behind the back, freezing Klay Thompson in his tracks in a Utah Jazz victory over the Golden State Warriors

Klay Thompson was shut down in the first quarter by one of the Jazz’s two Aussies, Joe Ingles. The first-time All-Star managed only 1-3 field goals, while Ingles took him to school for 7 points, 2 rebounds and one of the sneakiest dimes of Utah’s season.

Ingles, who can come at you with either hand, set up Klay Thompson to the left, then went behind his back on the dribble leaving Klay Thompson unable to find his footing on wobbly ankles. Ingles drove right around him to the right at the free throw line, drew in compatriot Bogut and deftly dished off to Derrick Favors for a free flush.

Thompson would draw Gordon Hayward for part of the night on defense, finishing with only 12 points on the evening, while Ingles went for 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

After the weighty win, Enes Kanter took to Twitter, to our great delight. He’s been a bit on the squeamish side there for some time after Jazz brass essentially neutered his social media presence a couple of seasons ago.

Enes Kanter’s been playing so well that he gets a pass for some good ole fashioned NBA trash talk. It’s hard to hate on confidence like this. He called it after all, when few gave the Jazz even a remote chance to cover tonight.

The Jazz play the Warriors one more time this season, March 21.