Kentucky in the NBA: Previewing Our Free Agents
By Alex Weber
Enes Kanter
The Kentucky Undertaker and Turkish sworn enemy saved his market price this past spring during Portland’s quasi-Cinderella run to the Western Conference Finals. In lieu of starting center Nurkic–who suffered a season-ending injury a month and a half earlier–Kanter stepped in and altered games with his crafty post scoring ability and terrific rebounding chops. Amid revival of the famed Can’t Play Kanter moniker coined after his disastrous performance in 2016 (where he played an integral role in Oklahoma City blowing their 3-1 lead over Golden State), Enes transformed into a fan favorite (across the league) for his remarkable resilience, his conversations with Hakeem Olajuwon, and his extreme Ramadan fasting (look at this diet/training regiment).
He evolved from a scapegoat for the Westbrook-plagued Thunder into a lovable Turkish outlaw cheered by all for throwing up middle fingers to decimating shoulder injuries, his home country’s government, and eating while the sun is up.
I don’t care if Enes never played a minute for the University of Kentucky, I love him just as much. Here’s to many more years of Enes being that videogame superhero who overcomes increasingly more ludicrous circumstances time and time again. As to where his game fits and who is rumored to sign him, I have no more clue than you.
Possible Destinations: Kings, Celtics