That’s a pretty good team in that picture right there. They shoot like they belong in Bill Hickok’s Wild West Show, run like the wind, and defend like they are guarding Fort Knox, when they are on their game. Small team though, no real size to their inside presence, and no real beef in the paint. Coaches checklist includes getting the ball into the paint, post up their big men and get fouls on them, put faster, smaller players on their forwards and force them to play tight defense which will lead to even more fouls. You get this team in foul trouble and you have them by the throat. Sound familiar? You think that Calhoun was thinking the same thing out in Maui when he sent his Huskies out onto the court to face the Cats? Well, lesson learned. So what do we do? We learn how to defend big guys without fouling, we learn how to make our switches more efficiently, and we learn to take advantage of our speed. How did we do that? His name is Kanter, Enes Kanter.
On or off the court, Enes Kanter has become a huge part of this team’s approach to this year. Look how much Harrellson has improved from last year. You think he got that way defending against Jarrod Polson? No. He got that way defending against Enes Kanter. You think that Terrence Jones learned how to shoot from a misdirected position and bounce off of a player as he goes in for a layup by going up against Brandon Knight? No, it was Kanter. If he never takes a shot for UK this year, he still represents the best practice player in the history of the program. Of ANY program. He makes the Cats learn how to adjust to exactly what other teams are going to throw at us night after night. He quite simply makes the Cats better, on or off the court. We all pretty well understand what he can do for the Cats on the court. We go from being a good team to being an instant contender. Kanter’s presence would have the opposing coaches changing defensive schemes, offensive schemes, and generally pulling their hair out.
You think Terrence Jones is a handful now, what if they couldn’t double and triple team the guy when he drives? You think our rebounding may take a slight uptick with Kanter in the paint? While Kanter may not be able to replace Cousins, Patterson, and Orton in the 5 spot, he does bring a really impressive skill set to the post. All the young man needs is time on the court.
If he does not make it onto the court, and Calipari can convince him to stay, I believe he should. He will be learning from the greatest NBA style coach in the college ranks today.
So looking ahead, with Enes, the future is so bright I have to wear shades. Without him does not look too shabby either to tell you the truth. We may not shake the world as a Kanter-less team, but we are sure gonna let some people know we have been there.
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