Mar 18, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Russell Westbrook(0) and center
Enes Kanter(34) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
You’re off the hook, Derek Fisher. There’s a new heel in Utah. After the Utah Jazz took a chance on unknown Enes Kanter, drafting him third overall in the 2011 NBA draft, then trading him as a malcontent in 2015, he went scorched earth on the Jazz organization ahead of his first meeting since being traded.
Enes Kanter ripped the Jazz org in his interview today. He pretended to hold back, but that wasn't a holding back.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) March 28, 2015
Enes Kanter insinuated the Jazz organization isn’t professional, ironic since he always seemed to be in trouble with Utah PR.
Enes Kanter: "It wasn't just basketball stuff. It was just professionalism. After I see OKC, then I was like, this is how NBA teams are."
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) March 28, 2015
The Utah Jazz and Miller Group are widely considered to be among the most professional of organizations in not only the NBA, but in all of sports. Kanter’s comments are merely the latest in a long line of Enes acting out in the media.
Enes Kanter: "I don't want to make no comments on them, but I think, after I went to OKC, I was like 'Oh man, this is how NBA teams [are].'"
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) March 28, 2015
Too late. You already did.
Enes, do you miss anything about Utah? "Mountains. That's it, I guess."
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) March 28, 2015
The Jazz certainly don’t miss his defense, Utah rocketing up the defensive ratings charts the moment Enes Kanter was moved. This was a win-win trade, until his mouth got the better of him yet again.
When demanding a trade from Jazz brass, Kanter cited the previous coaching regime as a big part of his frustration, indicating there was a disconnect between his goals and the Utah franchise’s goals going forward.
According to reports, Enes Kanter and his agent feel like he is a max contract player, a figure that was ultimately too rich for the Jazz’s blood in negotiations for an extension last fall. With options included, the Oklahoma City Thunder are currently on the hook for $88,457,128 in 2015-16.
Enes Kanter is averaging 17.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game for the Thunder. Oklahoma City plays the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City tonight. The Thunder are three games ahead of the New Orleans Pelican for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with ten games remaining with Kevin Durant out for 4-6 months.
There was much more. You can hear the full interview from Enes Kanter here.
I’m sure the Utah Jazz would like nothing more than to play the role of playoff spoiler after today’s comments.
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