While growing up, Enes Kanter knew quite well when the Jazz usually tipped off at EnergySolutions Arena. Kanter's hometown of Istanbul, Turkey is nine hours ahead. So Kanter used to set his alarm for the wee hours of the morning to watch Turkish center Mehmet Okur play on television for the Jazz in games that usually started at 7 p.m. Mountain Time.
"I was like waking up at 4 in the morning, watching games, and then going back to sleep," Kanter said Friday at the NBA draft combine. Click to view Rick Bowmer, Associated Press
Much has changed since those days for Kanter, who turned 19 Friday. The big man is a top NBA draft prospect, and he could go as high as No. 3 to the Jazz.
Kanter wouldn't mind that at all. He grew up cheering for Okur. And even though the two never have met, Kanter said Okur sent him best wishes for the combine through a Jazz official.
"He talked to some of the guys on Utah and then (a Jazz official that Kanter wasn't able to recall by name) told me that Mehmet Okur said 'hi' and said 'good luck,"' Kanter said.
Kanter likely made Okur proud by playing well at the combine, which runs here Wednesday through Saturday. Kanter said he will have a workout in Utah sometime before the June 23 draft, when it will be seen if becomes Okur's teammate.
"(Salt Lake City) is a great city and a great place to play, and (the Jazz has a) really good team," said the 6-foot-10 Kanter, who said his preferred position is power forward although he also plays center. "I followed them when I was in Turkey."
Kanter went to Kentucky last year expecting to play for the Wildcats. But he was ruled ineligible due to having deemed being a professional in Turkey.
Kanter spent the season working out at Kentucky although he couldn't practice with the team. Because he hasn't played compeitive ball for more than a year he deemed the combine very important.
"No one has seen me play so it was a really good experience for me," said Kanter, who at least has some track record since he says at 16 in Turkey he was the youngest palyer in the history of the Euroleague.
Quote:
Sounds like he wants to play PF so that would be reason enough to not want to play in the PF capital of the world. At his size he's going to be a center though you'd think.
Last edited by Xiao Yao You : 05-20-2011 at 11:15 PM.
The problem is the Jazz have way too many bigs. I want us to get rid of Big Al or Millsap for Danny Granger or OJ Mayo, but Big Al can teach guys like Kanter and Favors some great post moves, whether you like Big Al or not as a player, you can't deny he has great post moves.
I think we just need to let Okur go, even though he used to be a favorite of mine, either trade Okur and get something decent in return as far as a pick, or Kanter isn't getting many minutes.
If we don't get a PG with the 3rd Pick, the Jazz easily need to gamble and take Jimmer IMO, remember last year when we took Hayward when a lot said that was 5 spots better than he should have, I think we should do the same to get Fredette.
But no center. Can you have too many though. With Millsap at the 3and AK at the 2 the Jazz could play 4 4's at the same time.
Quote:
Big Al can teach guys like Kanter and Favors some great post moves, whether you like Big Al or not as a player, you can't deny he has great post moves.
And despite that Millsap is the more effective post player. Bring in Karl to tecah post moves.
Quote:
I think we just need to let Okur go, even though he used to be a favorite of mine, either trade Okur and get something decent in return as far as a pick, or Kanter isn't getting many minutes.
Good news is he has an expiring contract and can be traded. Might not be the case with Devin and Jeffeson? Kanter won't get drafted by them if he he doesn't interview. Corbin just said that is as important as a workout.
Quote:
If we don't get a PG with the 3rd Pick, the Jazz easily need to gamble and take Jimmer IMO, remember last year when we took Hayward when a lot said that was 5 spots better than he should have, I think we should do the same to get Fredette.
Why would he be a gamble? He's projected in that range. Believe Hayward was projected in that range too. Remains to be seen if that was the right pick. Way too early to tell.
Strange, because he skipped the Raptors and the Bucks too. At the time people were saying he was trying to guarantee his drop down to Washington because he's friends with John Wall.
You'd think with having Harris on the roster they'd be OK with having a guy develop for a year or so. Haywood and Favors are still young guys too, they're still developing, why pick the potentially lesser player just because you feel the need to put him out there straight away?
You'd think so especially with a D-league team just down the highway but despite that the Spurs seem to be the only team that really looks long term. As far as I'm concerned that should be a big part of the next bargaining agreement. They need to move more towards baseball and guys developing in the minors for a lot less money than guaranteeing them millions based on potential while taking the spot of a better veteran player.
Jazz will evaluate Biyombo; no plans to add Tomic
Published on May 31, 2011 12:36PM
Walt Perrin, Jazz vice president of player personnel, said Tuesday that the organization has definite plans to evaluate Congo power forward Bismack Biyombo during an upcoming overseas trip. While Utah's full itinerary has not been set, the Jazz will attend the adidas Eurocamp scheduled from June 11-13 in Treviso, Italy.
Utah could hold individual workouts for some international prospects that are expected to be chosen early in the 2011 NBA Draft, but will not participate in the Europcamp.
"That's still fluid as to who will do what, so we don't know for sure," Perrin said.
As for center Ante Tomic, Perrin said there are no immediate plans to bring the 24-year-old center to the United States. Utah holds the rights to Tomic, who was selected by the Jazz with the No. 44 overall pick during the second round of the 2008 draft.
"We would love to get him over but it's his choice. … He could come over now if he wanted to come," Perrin said.
Brian T. Smith
Twitter: @tribjazz
facebook.com/tribjazz
Re: 2011 NBA Draft
