C's interested in Enes Kanter

[Who]

I don't think the question is - is Enes Kanter a bad defender? We all agree, he's terrible.

The question is, can he improve and by how much? And how likely is that improvement?
Does it warrant taking a large financial risk? Or is it too risky?

[greg683x]

I don't think the question is - is Enes Kanter a bad defender? We all agree, he's terrible.

The question is, can he improve and by how much? And how likely is that improvement?
Does it warrant taking a large financial risk? Or is it too risky?

I don't think we have the personnel to make that happen defensively.  If we had a veteran roster with leaders that will get the most out of everybody like we did with Garnett, I'd be a little more optimistic.

[cltc5]

There's just very little evidence Kanter can play adequate defense, even as a center.

Seems like posters on Celtics Blog says this about literally every player in the NBA (Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony.)

Love to know who's defensive skills are up to Celtics Blog's expectations?

Lol. So true.  I'm guessing only Houston Texans jj watt.

[cltc5]

I don't think the question is - is Enes Kanter a bad defender? We all agree, he's terrible.

The question is, can he improve and by how much? And how likely is that improvement?
Does it warrant taking a large financial risk? Or is it too risky?

Depends on the money.  He was a target last year.

[BudweiserCeltic]

He's looking for a max contract.

[dreamgreen]

There's just very little evidence Kanter can play adequate defense, even as a center.

Seems like posters on Celtics Blog says this about literally every player in the NBA (Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony.)

Love to know who's defensive skills are up to Celtics Blog's expectations?

Lol. So true.  I'm guessing only Houston Texans jj watt.

Agreed, that's the "rim protector" group, they want to win games 82-80, they forget we can't score either.

[cltc5]

He's looking for a max contract.

Hmmmm.  Him and Harris would be worth the max.  Both high risk high reward guys.  But if they both pan out. Could be interesting.  He's also a good passer and runs the floor well so add that to his resume.

[Endless Paradise]

I don't think the question is - is Enes Kanter a bad defender? We all agree, he's terrible.

The question is, can he improve and by how much? And how likely is that improvement?
Does it warrant taking a large financial risk? Or is it too risky?

I don't think we have the personnel to make that happen defensively.  If we had a veteran roster with leaders that will get the most out of everybody like we did with Garnett, I'd be a little more optimistic.

This. The only teams I can think of where Kanter could fit without major changes are OKC and New Orleans.

[cltc5]

I don't think the question is - is Enes Kanter a bad defender? We all agree, he's terrible.

The question is, can he improve and by how much? And how likely is that improvement?
Does it warrant taking a large financial risk? Or is it too risky?

I don't think we have the personnel to make that happen defensively.  If we had a veteran roster with leaders that will get the most out of everybody like we did with Garnett, I'd be a little more optimistic.

This. The only teams I can think of where Kanter could fit without major changes are OKC and New Orleans.

So we should pass on an offensive scoring big because we think we need a vet to tutor him defensively?  Isn't that kinda the role of the coaches?  Again cblog living In their own world

[Who]

Celtics do have an excellent perimeter defense. That got them a 12th ranked defense despite having little to no interior defense. That is defensive help + team culture.

Is that enough? Or does it have to be a defensive big man alongside Kanter?

[e4e5sesame]

I don't think the question is - is Enes Kanter a bad defender? We all agree, he's terrible.

The question is, can he improve and by how much? And how likely is that improvement?
Does it warrant taking a large financial risk? Or is it too risky?

I don't think we have the personnel to make that happen defensively.  If we had a veteran roster with leaders that will get the most out of everybody like we did with Garnett, I'd be a little more optimistic.

This. The only teams I can think of where Kanter could fit without major changes are OKC and New Orleans.

So we should pass on an offensive scoring big because we think we need a vet to tutor him defensively?  Isn't that kinda the role of the coaches?  Again cblog living In their own world

I think what he was saying was that we should pass on Kanter because we can't put him next to a Serge Ibaka or Anthony Davis who could erase his defensive mistakes. Short of that, the best fit for Kanter would be a team with lots of veteran savvy to help organise the defense on the court, not tutor the guy.

[anewframe]

Surely these rumors cannot be true. He is the opposite of a Brad Stevens guy.

What the hell is a definition of a Brad Stevens?

Is this now the criteria of how good a player is?

Whether or not he'll be a Brad Stevens guy?

Oy vey!!!

It is just my opinion but a Brad Stevens guy seems to be someone who plays with maximum effort, puts TEAM first and enhances the locker room chemistry. Enes Kanter by all reports does not fit this category. Did you see the scathing reports from ex teammates in Utah?

Check this article:

http://www.sltrib.com/home/2343723-155/jazz-say-enes-kanters-remarks-motivated

Also Kanter has not really shown a willingness to put in effort on the defense end. Brad Stevens has rewarded guys who play defense well but also those who put in effort.

[flybono]

No thanx. I want a defensive center. Blocks per game aren't everything, but a center that averages .3 bpg in 27 mpg sets off alarm bells. That's truly a stunning stat.

Amen. We already have Fuzzy "turnstile" Zeller

[Quetzalcoatl]

Surely these rumors cannot be true. He is the opposite of a Brad Stevens guy.

What the hell is a definition of a Brad Stevens?

Is this now the criteria of how good a player is?

Whether or not he'll be a Brad Stevens guy?

Oy vey!!!

It is just my opinion but a Brad Stevens guy seems to be someone who plays with maximum effort, puts TEAM first and enhances the locker room chemistry. Enes Kanter by all reports does not fit this category. Did you see the scathing reports from ex teammates in Utah?

Check this article:

http://www.sltrib.com/home/2343723-155/jazz-say-enes-kanters-remarks-motivated

Also Kanter has not really shown a willingness to put in effort on the defense end. Brad Stevens has rewarded guys who play defense well but also those who put in effort.

See, I read that whole thing as Enes trying to prove to the Thunder that he was on their team now and he belongs there.  It's funny but I had the exact opposite impression as you.  Anyways, I really like his offensive game and I think he's still young enough to get coached on the defensive end.  Scott Brooks and Tyrone Corbin are both awful coaches and I think Enes could really blossom under Stevens' leadership.

[gpap]

I don't think the question is - is Enes Kanter a bad defender? We all agree, he's terrible.

The question is, can he improve and by how much? And how likely is that improvement?
Does it warrant taking a large financial risk? Or is it too risky?

I don't think we have the personnel to make that happen defensively.  If we had a veteran roster with leaders that will get the most out of everybody like we did with Garnett, I'd be a little more optimistic.

This. The only teams I can think of where Kanter could fit without major changes are OKC and New Orleans.

So we should pass on an offensive scoring big because we think we need a vet to tutor him defensively?  Isn't that kinda the role of the coaches?  Again cblog living In their own world

Yup. People criticizing Kanter for his defense as if Sully, Olynk and Zeller lock down the paint.
And then apparently, he needs a tutor to teach him how to defend.  Brilliant......NOT!!!!!
We'd be lucky to have a center in his prime like Kanter.