Kanter comments, Jazz play contribute to emotional Utah win


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SALT LAKE CITY — There was an odd mixture of emotions inside EnergySolutions Arena Saturday as the Utah Jazz hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder.

A mixture of sadness and appreciation filled the hearts and minds of fans as the team memorialized iconic broadcaster “Hot Rod” Hundley, who passed away Friday in Phoenix.

Then came anger and vitriol towards former Jazz center Enes Kanter, who came out and blasted the team in comments at the pregame shoot-around. Combining all of the emotions together, the game had all the makings for a good, old-fashioned NBA battle.

Coming off a three-game losing streak, the Jazz had their own frustrations, especially after two close home losses before getting blown out by the Denver Nuggets Friday, 107-91.

Utah was able to channel its aggression towards improved play as the Jazz downed the Thunder, 94-89, on an emotional night in Salt Lake.

The Jazz started slow, shooting just 38.1 percent in the first quarter — a problem that affected them in Friday’s loss at Denver. The team also played without Derrick Favors, who missed the game due to back spasms. The issues combined to see the Jazz trail 32-21 at the end of the first quarter.

Jazz coach Quin Snyder said the Jazz were out-of-sync early.

“From the way we started the game, I thought they were really the aggressors,” he said, as Oklahoma City made 13-of-20 shots in the first quarter. “They were playing great and shooting the ball great. I thought they were getting to the rim too much.”

However, the Jazz made a recovery in the second quarter, outscoring Oklahoma City 26-17 while holding Thunder star Russell Westbrook to two points after he scored 13 points in the opening quarter.

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Utah then outscored Oklahoma City 29-17 in the third quarter before holding off a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Thunder.

“Our pick-and-roll defense, we made a few little changes that I thought helped us,” Snyder said. “I think we started playing harder. It was like a little bit of a wake-up call. This team will keep you on your heels all night if you’re not aggressive.

“There was a couple possessions where they got on the floor for loose balls, and we bent at the waist. We talked about that in the timeout, and our guys really played hard and together.”

Westbrook hit a three with 31 seconds left to cut the lead to 91-89, Utah. The Jazz drove, and Gordon Hayward missed a jumper in the lane before Rudy Gobert was fouled on an offensive rebounding try. Gobert’s first free throw rattled in and out before finally hitting home. He converted both, giving Utah its ultimate advantage.

Westbrook finished with 37 points and scored 20 points in the fourth quarter alone — scoring 20 of the team’s 23 points in the final quarter.

During shoot-around Saturday morning, Kanter told the media he was unhappy and unsatisfied with the Jazz throughout his tenure in Salt Lake City.

“I actually like playing basketball (in Oklahoma City),” he said. “It’s so comfortable, and everything goes in the right place. I’m really happy to be there.

“It wasn’t a one-game or two-game frustration. It was a three-and-a-half-year frustration. I’m happy for both sides; (I think the trade) worked out for both sides.


"I didn't like the way (Enes) handled it early on when they introduced him," said Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks.

“Almost everything (was frustrating in Utah). I didn’t bring it every night. It wasn’t just basketball stuff (that frustrated me); it was professionalism. After what I’ve seen in OKC, I was like, ‘this is how NBA teams are.’ ”

Kanter also said the Oklahoma City organization has provided a different structure than Utah’s, with a hint of personal shots being taken at members of the Jazz organization.

“First of all, we have a leader like Russell (Westbrook); I love my teammates; I love the fans,” he said. “Everything there is just professional. They do it just for the players and focus on basketball.”

Not surprisingly, Kanter was met with a mixture of boos and cat-calls when Jazz announcer Dan Roberts announced him as a starter.

While Snyder wouldn’t react directly to Kanter’s comments in his pregame media session, he did give his thoughts on the Utah organization.

“Having been with five teams in recent years, this is one of the more professional, well-run, well-supported, high-character organizations that I’ve been a part of,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to be a part of some good ones, and this is one of the best.”

Kanter’s homecoming was a major story in the game as fans repeatedly booed him. The Thunder center scored 18 points, but only scored six points in the second half.

Jazz forward Gordon Hayward said Kanter’s comments were a motivator for the team.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter, right, shoots against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter, right, shoots against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

“The comments that a former player on our team made are what he felt like, and if he wants to say that he can,” he said, after finishing with 17 points. “It pissed us off, honestly, and just fueled a fire for us. We came out and just wanted to make sure we won. The fans were awesome tonight; I think it fueled the fire for them, too. They obviously heard it.”

Gobert, who finished with 13 points and 15 rebounds, said he welcomed the matchup with Kanter.

“He was coming back here and wanted to show he was better than me,” he said. “To me, the most important thing was to win tonight.”

In the postgame, Kanter said the loss didn’t concern him.

“It was a regular game,” he said. “I never felt like I was part of this team, so I mean it was just a regular game. We came, lose or win, and we’ll leave.

“I think they did a real good job, I’ll give them that. I think they did a really good job on the court.”

For his part, Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks was not comfortable with how the events took place.

"I didn't like the way he handled it early on when they introduced him," he said. "(It's) something that will be addressed. We're better than that, but overall I thought he did a good job. He had three good years here. It's part of being traded."

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