Kanter goes unprofessional on the Jazz


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SALT LAKE CITY — Few players in NBA history have done what Enes Kanter managed to accomplish in a bizarre self-incriminating interview last week.

Speaking with the media before his new team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, played the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena, Kanter sold himself out in public, revealing to the world what Jazz management had known for a while. In the process, he also angered his former teammates to the point they broke the unwritten code that NBA players stay out of another player’s business when it comes to problems with team executives.

By now, most Jazz fans have heard Kanter’s rebuke of the organization, basically calling it out as being unprofessional. Kanter, who played for the Jazz for almost four years before being traded six weeks ago, was going against his former team for the first time.

In a shot at his own character, Kanter admitted to not always playing hard and actually not liking the game itself. Kanter came off as an immature 22-year-old who turned his former teammates against him.

"It wasn't just basketball stuff. It was professionalism of the team,” he said of his time with the Jazz. “After I see in OKC, I see this is how NBA teams are. You know how you're like in a dream and you have a superpower and just don't want to open your eyes and end the dream? Oklahoma City's been like that to me."

Players often stay out of it when a teammate wants a trade, as Kanter did before the Jazz shipped him to Oklahoma City. But Jazz players didn't take kindly to Kanter's remarks, lashing out at him after the game.

The ironic part, as often is in these situations, is that Kanter’s indirect claim of unprofessionalism stinks of hypocrisy. The mark of a true professional athlete is playing hard at all times, something Kanter admitted he didn’t do.


Kanter and his agent have a reputation for him believing he's a lot better than he is. The Jazz were patient with him and did everything they could with him. The reality is it's a better team with Rudy Gobert in there than with Enes Kanter.

–Brian Geltzeiler


His shenanigans along the way also don’t help his cause. Barely halfway into Kanter’s rookie season, Jazz management had doubts about his commitment to the game. There was good reason, too, considering his goofy attitude and attempts to be funny and different on social media.

At one point the Jazz turned to retired Jazz player Mehmet Okur to act as a mentor to Kanter. Both players are from Turkey.

Even without the character flaws, the Jazz took a gamble on Kanter, and it didn’t work out. Kanter never played college basketball, having been ruled ineligible during his one season at Kentucky.

As sometimes happens to every NBA team, the Jazz were wrong to select Kanter in the 2011 draft right behind Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams. Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard were among the players available when the Jazz made their pick. In proving the draft is far from an exact science, Jimmer Fredette also was selected ahead of Thompson and Leonard.

In Kanter’s defense, his play has improved since leaving the Jazz. Playing 30 minutes a game in March, he averaged 17.7 points and 11.2 rebounds, both of which are significantly better than what he got with the Jazz.

Defensively, he is still far below average. And it’s obvious the Jazz are better with Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors as the starters.

“Kanter and his agent have a reputation for him believing he’s a lot better than he is,” said New Jersey-based Brian Geltzeiler, who covers the NBA for hoopscritic.com. “The Jazz were patient with him and did everything they could with him. The reality is it’s a better team with Rudy Gobert in there than with Enes Kanter.”

In the end, Kanter’s criticism of the Jazz actually had a galvanizing effect on the team and the fan base. Mired in a four-game losing streak coming into the Oklahoma City game, the Jazz had a stirring comeback and beat the Thunder. The next game they went on the road and beat the Minnesota Timberwolves one week after losing to the same team at home.

“I don’t agree with the assertion the Jazz are not a professional organization,” Geltzeiler said. “I think it speaks a lot to Enes Kanter having to grow up a lot.”

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