Enes Kanter deserves some love

[nickagneta]

I know there are calls across Celtic fandom and on this blog for an "answer" at the center position but I don't think people are giving Enes Kanter his do with how he is playing. As the season has progressed Kanter just keeps getting better and better.

About 8 games ago Stevens increased Kanter's minutes and I think it's because Stevens and Kanter figured out how to mitigate Kanter's defensive liabilities. Yes, he isn't a good defender historically but over the last month or so he has been playing defense at a completely different level than he had to begin the year. Against larger centers, centers Theis would struggle with, Kanter has been great in that time.

And though he has season averages of 8.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game over the last 8 games Kanter's numbers are 11.5 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. If Kanter qualified for the league leader lists, which by year end he will, Kanter would lead the league in offensive rebounding percentage by 3 points, which is HUGE. His defensive rebounding would place him 11th and his total rebounding percentage 2nd.

The man is a rebounding machine. And he adds a tremendous and highly efficient low post scoring game. He adds a dimension to this team, they haven't had in an extremely long time. And I think Steven's is using him perfectly as the backup center with Tatum versus other team's bench units. People love to talk about Tatum's unreal net rating number. Well, Kanter's is even better.

Hoping Enes continues to get better with this team because I think he could be a huge factor in the playoffs.

[trickybilly]

Yeah, I agree with this. TP.

I'm happy going to the playoffs with Lantern/Theis.

[Neurotic Guy]

I forget who bulleted a pass to him at the rim v. Charlotte, but Kanter was alert, one-handed it, controlled it and finished.  Loved that.

[nickagneta]

I forget who bulleted a pass to him at the rim v. Charlotte, but Kanter was alert, one-handed it, controlled it and finished.  Loved that.

It was Kemba who fired that pass. I think Tom Brady saw that play and thought he wished his wide receivers had hands that soft. Underappreciated part of Kanter is he has tremendous hands and ability to secure passes and rebounds with them. TP for bringing that up.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Kanter and Gortat were two guys I'd wanted on the Celtics for a long time, so I'm happy that Enes is here and having the impact I thought he'd have. It's been a long time since the Cs had an interior presence capable of rebounding and scoring like he does. TP for the thread, Nick.

[Fierce1]

Celts going into the playoffs with Kanter and Theis is questionable.

Right now Kanter is in the right place, coming off the bench.

With what Kanter's earning right now and the way he's playing, he's doing well and he's looking like a good signing by Ainge.

Even though Kanter was signed to be the starting Center, I'm loving what Kanter does against the 2nd unit of the opposing teams.

So Kanter's not problem, it's Theis that the Celts need to replace with someone better.

Right now if I had to choose between Kanter and Theis, I would choose Kanter.

[nickagneta]

Celts going into the playoffs with Kanter and Theis is questionable.

Right now Kanter is in the right place, coming off the bench.

With what Kanter's earning right now and the way he's playing, he's doing well and he's looking like a good signing by Ainge.

Even though Kanter was signed to be the starting Center, I'm loving what Kanter does against the 2nd unit of the opposing teams.

So Kanter's not problem, it's Theis that the Celts need to replace with someone better.

Right now if I had to choose between Kanter and Theis, I would choose Kanter.

This thread is about Kanter. Please don't try to hijack yet another thread in your crusade to tell all of CelticsStrong that the Celtics need to make a trade for someone to play center. Thank you.

[bellerephon]

Celts going into the playoffs with Kanter and Theis is questionable.

Right now Kanter is in the right place, coming off the bench.

With what Kanter's earning right now and the way he's playing, he's doing well and he's looking like a good signing by Ainge.

Even though Kanter was signed to be the starting Center, I'm loving what Kanter does against the 2nd unit of the opposing teams.

So Kanter's not problem, it's Theis that the Celts need to replace with someone better.

Right now if I had to choose between Kanter and Theis, I would choose Kanter.

Kanter is clearly a better rebounder and scorer than Theis, but Theis is so much better in the team defense that it's a no-brainer that he's the better option for this team. The Celts have one of the best defenses in the NBA and Theis is a big part of that. I can't think of anyone that the Celts could actually get that would be an improvement on what Theis brings to the team defense. Sure there are guys that score more and rebound more, but defense is the most important thing. Keep in mind that acquiring anyone good will likely cost Smart and picks. I don't see that happening. Most likely thing is the Celts will look to add depth at the wing or someone who can bring scoring off the bench.

[Sophomore]

We all know about his plus rebounding and ability to finish putbacks. Kanter also has extremely good hands. Throw him a pass and he’ll get it, even if it’s off target or too fast. Also has great timing for swipes at the ball. The pick and roll defense is ... unfortunate, but we can probably cover for that, especially against the Sixers. What we really need for that series is solid production from the rest of the team.

[NKY fan]

I have always liked Kanter ! I think he can get better at defense but he’s probably better in small doses during the course of the game.
Right now he provides value for the $ he’s being paid so there is no point trading him just to match salaries

[wiley]

a month ago or so i stated that though I have no numbers to back it up, I simply feel good when Kanter is on the court with the C's.  That's love! 

[SparzWizard]

Kanter is probably a center that we've desperately needed/wanted for years after that Perkins trade.

[jambr380]

I posted this in the 'big man' thread, but it is obviously very relevant here. He is deservedly getting attention for what he is bringing to the team. And, very important to note, is that Kanter being a 'back-up' should not be considered a bad thing. When healthy, we have 4 high level scorers on the floor to start and Theis is a perfect complement to them. Kanter's offensive ability with the 2nd unit is essential and he is able to have more of a presence on the floor. He also gets plenty of run with other starters and has excelled since getting fully healthy and feeling more and more integrated into the team. His personality is also top notch. I don't know how anybody couldn't like him.

https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/post-123119-enes-kanter-is-the-most-underrated-signing-of-the-offseason

[mmmmm]

'Agree with all points by the OP.

Kanter is currently sporting a fantastic Defensive Rating of just 98.7 points per 100 possessions and a big fat Net Rating of +15.7 ==> Highest on the team other than Romeo (who hasn't really played very many minutes yet).

Enes is currently 4th in the NBA in per-36 rebounding with a monster 15.8 rebounds per-36.  The guy is a ball-magnet.

I do think some of that stems from, as nick alludes to, Brad using Enes in the role of first big off the bench, during those late-1st / early-2nd runs.   But he's very specifically played great in match ups against stud guys like Embiid and Drummond.

I would like to see Brad situationally start Enes when we play PHI and other teams that feature bigger more physical centers so he can get more minutes in those match ups and ease up on Theis.  Otherwise, I like the way he's using him to attack bench rotations.   

[greenrunsdeep41]

I was just about to log in to write something similar.

If Enes Kanter were on another team we’d have a lot of “trade from him, he is the answer threads.”

Love how he is filling his role.