Mar 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) reacts to being booed by Utah Jazz fans during his introduction prior to the game at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 94-89. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Former Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter went scorched earth on the team in the media last season, a decision he now regrets.
After demanding a trade from the Utah Jazz last season, Enes Kanter drew the ire of fans. He would go on to cement himself as the Lex Luthor to Utah’s Superman after making negative remarks about his former team and the state itself in his first return to the 801 with the Oklahoma City Thunder last spring.
With the two teams set to reprise their Northwest Division rivalry on Monday night, Kanter sang a different tune during the pre-game media session at Vivnt Smart Home Arena. The former No. 3 overall pick told a cadre of reporters that his statements may have been “too harsh” and that he has nothing but respect for his former teammates.
The Salt Lake Tribune’s Aaron Falk was there to document the ReKanter in action–
Some video from Enes Kanter's pregame interview: "I think maybe I was a little harsh" in last year's comments. https://t.co/BOA9Ai83tJ
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) November 24, 2015
For the audio-deprived, Kanter told the media that he has no problems with the players or the fans and went on to praise the Jazz for the progress they’ve made, saying, “They play pretty good. I’m really happy for them. It worked out for both sides.”
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Obviously this is in stark contrast to statements made last year when Kanter seemingly questioned the professionalism of the Jazz organization and declared that the only thing he missed about Utah was the mountains. Like him or not, Kanter is doing his best to show his maturity and professionalism in a difficult situation.
Nonetheless, I expect that fans in attendance will continue to boo Kanter any time he touches the basketball or does anything on the court. Jazz fans have long memories and tend to cling to grudges like death–I still abhor the Portland Trail Blazers for beating the Jazz in the 1992 Western Conference Finals, for example.
Asked whether or not he would boo them back, Kanter laughed and replied, “No. I’m not.”
If only he had carried himself this way in his first return to Utah, things may not have gotten as bitter as they did.