A closer look at Enes Kanter

[Randolphkeys]

I can only imagine the outrage and criticism from casual "fans" and the clueless, in regards to basketball, local media on draft night if the Cavs picked Kanter. Most would have never heard of him before.

People hated the Ilgauskas pick at the time, especially since he didn't play in his first year. Public opinion changes if you draft a quality player.

Unless your name is Pip.

 

[Jon]

I can only imagine the outrage and criticism from casual "fans" and the clueless, in regards to basketball, local media on draft night if the Cavs picked Kanter. Most would have never heard of him before.

Justified?

He has 8 total points in his euro-league career. 8!

 

[Jon]

People hated the Ilgauskas pick at the time, especially since he didn't play in his first year. Public opinion changes if you draft a quality player.

Unless your name is Pip.

We took Potapenko at #12, and Z at #20. Maybe if we could get two #5 picks, we won't screw them both up?

Z, btw, averaged 20.3 ppg, 12.8 reb, and 2.8 blocks for Atletas, and 7.7 and 7 for the Lithuania national team. So while he was an unknown with a bum foot, hey at least he scored more than 8 points AND was only a 20th pick.

 

[CzBoobie]

Justified?

He has 8 total points in his euro-league career. 8!

He was 16. It's not his fault they won't let him play in the NCAA. Do people seriously believe he wouldn't be able to succeed there? Who would have kept him from succeeding there? Sullingers of the world?

 

[Randolphkeys]

Euroleague teams are famous for benching talented young players. Once a young talent sees the court, the U.S. coaches know the secret. Here's what we know about Kanter, outside of the Nike Hoops Summit blowup:

http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/kanter_enes00.html

Played for the Turkish under-18 national team in 2009 and was named the championship's MVP after averaging 18.6 points and a tournament-best 16.4 rebounds a game leading Turkey to the bronze medal at the European Championships in France ...

I'm not trying to compare him to Big Z, but it's not like those four games in the Euroleague are the only competitive basketball he has ever played.

 

[Rist77]

Euroleague teams are famous for benching talented young players. Once a young talent sees the court, the U.S. coaches know the secret. Here's what we know about Kanter, outside of the Nike Hoops Summit blowup:

http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/kanter_enes00.html





I'm not trying to compare him to Big Z, but it's not like those four games in the Euroleague are the only competitive basketball he has ever played.

He really needs to show more than what he has shown so far for him to be justified as the #2 or #3 overall pick. It's not like drafting Dirk at #7 or Z at #20. Drafing 2, 3 or 4 especially for this team, is a much bigger deal. Hopefully he plays at this years Nike Hoop Summit so teams have a little more to go by. But I really think everything will come down to the pre draft workouts and how he fairs going against some of the other top big men coming out this year. Even after that, it's still a crapshoot.

Don't get wrong, he's a very interesting prosect, but he needs to prove that he can score over players other than that lurp that went to Illinois and a poor defensive player in Jared Sullinger. He also needs to prove he can play defense. But it will be very interesting to hear what news comes out about him as the draft nears, as the Cavs almost certainly have their eye on him.

 

[NarlCavs]

Justified?

He has 8 total points in his euro-league career. 8!

I didn't at all mean I badly want the Cavs to take Kanter. I was going more for that he has to be considered an option especially if some of these top underclassmen don't declare for the draft and the very real possibility the Cavs might not get a top 2 or 3 pick.
Just about every scouting report does have him as a top 10 or higher pick.

Cleveland area media and local sports anchors don't spend much time on the Cavs or display a strong knowledge of basketball. It's very likely that if Kanter was the Cavs pick it would be the first time most of them would have ever heard his name.

 

[UDcleveland]

Tim Duncan in a Kendrick Perkins type of bodyframe

uh... probably not. But that would be a nice addition

 

[MYoung23]

I didn't at all mean I badly want the Cavs to take Kanter. I was going more for that he has to be considered an option especially if some of these top underclassmen don't declare for the draft and the very real possibility the Cavs might not get a top 2 or 3 pick.
Just about every scouting report does have him as a top 10 or higher pick.

Cleveland area media and local sports anchors don't spend much time on the Cavs or display a strong knowledge of basketball. It's very likely that if Kanter was the Cavs pick it would be the first time most of them would have ever heard his name.

Perfectly stated.

 

[Lumthemad]

To me, i could see a bit of Brook Lopez to his game, who when coming out, i thought may perhaps be too slow of foot but has proven to be more than capable at center at the NBA level. He clearly has some skills just from watching the Nike Hoop Summit highlights, it is just a question whether he'll be able to FULLY utilize it or be like a guy like the Iranian center on Memphis.

Securing a worthwhile center is a tempting option and one to seriously consider.

 

[Jon]

I'm not trying to compare him to Big Z, but it's not like those four games in the Euroleague are the only competitive basketball he has ever played.

I would assume not, but there isn't exactly a whole lot more material for a scout to decide if this guy is ready to take the jump to compete against the best basketball players in the world. Kanter should be in the NCAA proving himself, it's a shame he was disqualified.

 

[Rist77]

Kanter is the first guy in the drill. There is not really that much to this.


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[Earl]

Cleveland area media and local sports anchors don't spend much time on the Cavs or display a strong knowledge of basketball. It's very likely that if Kanter was the Cavs pick it would be the first time most of them would have ever heard his name.

Sort of like the reaction Gallinari got when he was picked up by the Knicks?

 

[JDeezy]

If Irving doesn't declare I'd feel much better about drafting Kanter (I'm not saying first though). I have a thing for centers... The Cavs seem to be especially barren.

2012, that's where our savior's at...

 

[MYoung23]

Kanter may play in the '11 Hoop Summit.