Game Thread Official Kanter Vs. Adams

[HailBlazers]

Enes Kanter eager to bully trash-talking ‘brother’ Steven Adams in Portland Trail Blazers-Oklahoma City Thunder playoff series

It was Thursday morning, mere hours after the Portland Trail Blazers’ playoff date with the Oklahoma City Thunder had been decided, when Enes Kanter picked up his phone to send a quick text message.

“It looks like you guys are going to come to Portland,” he typed, before pressing send on a note to his pal and former teammate, Thunder center Steven Adams.

“Here we go, boy!” Adams replied.

And with that, one of the most intriguing and important head-to-head matchups of this best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series had been activated. When Kanter signed with the Blazers off the buyout market just before the All-Star break, he knew he was leaving the dysfunction of the Big Apple for a chance to return to the playoffs. But he had no idea he would become one of the focal points of perhaps the most alluring series of the first round of the NBA playoffs.

After Jusuf Nurkic suffered season-ending fractures in his left leg on March 25, Kanter was suddenly thrust into a starting role on a team with ambitions of a deep playoff run. The Blazers (53-29) went 19-6 after the All-Star break and Kanter was a force filling in for Nurkic, averaging 18.1 points and 11.4 rebounds, while recording five double-doubles, in eight starts.

When the Blazers gathered Friday for their first practice in preparation for Game 1 against the Thunder, Kanter was still having a hard time wrapping his head around the reality of the moment.

“I could be done and going on vacation,” Kanter said. “I looked at myself in the mirror, I was like, ‘Man, I definitely feel blessed to be here with this team, with this organization.

“I was part of the worst team in the league. And they weren’t even playing me because they thought I’m too old. And then all the drama. God has a plan for everybody. That’s why I was like I just want to stay away from drama, focus on basketball. That was one of the reasons I didn’t want to go to (the Los Angeles Lakers). I wanted to go to Portland. This is the spot for me.”

It turns out, this spot will bring Kanter full circle to face his former team and a former teammate he calls his “brother.”

During Kanter’s 2½ seasons in Oklahoma City, he and Adams became inseparable. They’d go toe-to-toe on the court during practices, sit in tandem for film review and scour scouting reports together. Then the duo affectionately dubbed the “Stache Brothers" would go grab a bite to eat when it was over.

“He was my best friend,” Kanter said. “He was like my brother.”

They shared intel and advice, passing along their strengths to help the other’s weaknesses. The offensive-minded Kanter would offer tips on footwork in the post or scoring in the paint. The defensive-minded Adams would, in turn, share tidbits on defending pick-and-rolls and protecting the rim.

And in between the collaboration, there was a healthy dose of rugged competition. Their on-court battles, pitting Kanter’s offensive skill against Adam’s defensive might, were vicious.

“It wasn’t basketball,” Kanter said, “it was like wrestling. You could almost hear the bones cracking.”

You could also hear the trash-talking, which has only escalated since Kanter left Oklahoma City. Adams has not been bashful about dishing verbal jabs at his friend, including during games, since they’ve become opponents.

Earlier this season, Adams taunted Kanter as he prepared to shoot free throws, repeatedly screaming his name. When Kanter ignored him, Adams shouted, “I know you can hear me.” Then, after Adams posterized Kanter with a nasty dunk in a pick-and-roll play at the rim, Adams took things to a whole nother level.

After the play, Adams ran back on defense and reportedly told Knicks coach David Fizdale it was time to pull his friend. “He doesn’t know how to play defense,” Adams said. "We’re running pick-and-roll every time. Sub him out.”

And while the verbal jabs were in jest, the defensive insult touches on a legitimate concern for the Blazers in this series. While he provides plenty of scoring in the post and is an excellent rebounder, Kanter’s defense is widely viewed as a liability, and his ability to contain Adams and provide help on Oklahoma City stars Russell Westbrook and Paul George could decide whether the Blazers end their 10-game postseason losing streak.

It was just two years ago, after all, that Thunder coach Billy Donovan turned to assistant coach Mo Cheeks during a playoff game against the Houston Rockets and mouthed the words, “Can’t play Kanter,” after he was bludgeoned by an alley-oop dunk while helplessly defending the pick-and-roll. Even Kanter said he expects the Thunder to attack him.

“But I think we have a very good game plan,” Kanter said. “Defense is all about communication, trust. It’s not just about one guy. It’s five guys out there. If you communicate and if you trust each other, I think we should be fine.”

 

[Orion Bailey]

This scares the hell out of me.
Mthis is the reason im pissed about us not avoiding okc when we could have. I think?
We didnt even try though.

Does stotts not know where Kanter came from?
Does stotts not k ow that okc has the play book on kanter????

Does he not understand that quick foul trouble on Kanter and we are dead in the water????????

Im not scared of okc.
Im scared of what Kanter cant do and they know all of it.

Thanks hail. renewed my frustrations.

 

[BonesJones]

This scares the hell out of me.
Mthis is the reason im pissed about us not avoiding okc when we could have. I think?
We didnt even try though.

Does stotts not know where Kanter came from?
Does stotts not k ow that okc has the play book on kanter????

Does he not understand that quick foul trouble on Kanter and we are dead in the water????????

Im not scared of okc.
Im scared of what Kanter cant do and they know all of it.

Thanks hail. renewed my frustrations.

What? Are you drunk?

Gobert is more of a threat than Adams...

 

[Orion Bailey]

What? Are you drunk?

Gobert is more of a threat than Adams...

No. Well not much. Lol.
but you must be for not understanding my post. Lol.

Goberr isnt a threat to knowing Kanters game.

Im commenting more on okc in general than just adams.

My point was okc knows Kanters’ weaknesses like no other teams in the league.

Did you hear about how Adams and Kanter are friends but when okc played ny. Adams had to tell the ny coach to get Kanter off the floor because he cant guard them?

Okc is gonna pull Kanters shorts down to his ankles and leave him mid court sucking his thumb man.

 

[H.C.]

This scares the hell out of me.
Mthis is the reason im pissed about us not avoiding okc when we could have. I think?
We didnt even try though.

Does stotts not know where Kanter came from?
Does stotts not k ow that okc has the play book on kanter????

Does he not understand that quick foul trouble on Kanter and we are dead in the water????????

Im not scared of okc.
Im scared of what Kanter cant do and they know all of it.

Thanks hail. renewed my frustrations.

Not sure what you or anyone else wants Portland to do OB.
Portland played 6 players. Four of which were end of the bench players.
Kings pulled their starters and their bench which was fire in the first half, went ice cold and missed wide open shot, after wide open shot, after wide open shot.
Portland even had Nards initiate the offense and dribble it up the court.

Outside of telling players to throw the ball out of bounds as soon as they touch it. What else should've Portland done to lose that game?

 

[Orion Bailey]

Not sure what you or anyone else wants Portland to do OB.
Portland played 6 players. Four of which were end of the bench players.
Kings pulled their starters and their bench which was fire in the first half, went ice cold and missed wide open shot, after wide open shot, after wide open shot.
Portland even had Nards initiate the offense and dribble it up the court.

Outside of telling players to throw the ball out of bounds as soon as they touch it. What else should've Portland done to lose that game?

Well. When Simons proved he is a viable Cj replacement, he should have been benched too.

Didnt hoosiers coach once play four guys???

Lol. I dunno.

Im just not a fan of this matchup T all because of Kanters history and okc knowing him inside and out. If we had Nurk, id love the matchup.

 

[H.C.]

Well. When Simons proved he is a viable Cj replacement, he should have been benched too.

Didnt hoosiers coach once pay four guys???

Lol. I dunno.

Im just not a fan of this matchup T all because of Kanters history and okc knowing him inside and out. If we had Nurk, id love the matchup.

I wish we had Nurk also.
However I prefer OKC to Utah tbh.

With Utah Gobert is pretty similar defensively to AD. Might not be exact but he doesn't need to be with players like Rubio/Mitchell/oneal.
Lillard would at the very least have a real difficult time against Utah. Similar to how the Pelicans made his life hard.

OKC is a trapping/gambling team, but Lillard has shown the ability recently to get off against them.
I think that has to do with Adams not being as long as Gobert. That it's easier for Lillard to beat Adams to the rim than Gobert.
Honestly I think Portland would've been swept by Utah.
While I think Portland while not the favorites, has a punchers chance against OKC. Simply because Lillard is going to have an easier time against Westbrick & Adams, than he would against Utah's guards and Gobert.

 

[BonesJones]

No. Well not much. Lol.
but you must be for not understanding my post. Lol.

Goberr isnt a threat to knowing Kanters game.

Im commenting more on okc in general than just adams.

My point was okc knows Kanters’ weaknesses like no other teams in the league.

Did you hear about how Adams and Kanter are friends but when okc played ny. Adams had to tell the ny coach to get Kanter off the floor because he cant guard them?

Okc is gonna pull Kanters shorts down to his ankles and leave him mid court sucking his thumb man.

Invest in spellcheck. And grammarcheck.

Everyone knows Kanters weaknesses.

Weakness:
Struggles in every aspect of defense, especially pick n roll.

Dont need to be his ex-team to know that...

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Invest in spellcheck. And grammarcheck.

Everyone knows Kanters weaknesses.

Weakness:
Struggles in every aspect of defense, especially pick n roll.

Dont need to be his ex-team to know that...

Grammerly is what I use at work. For this place though you guys just get what my phone gives you.

 

[BonesJones]

My point was okc knows Kanters’ weaknesses like no other teams in the league.

Did you hear about how Adams and Kanter are friends but when okc played ny. Adams had to tell the ny coach to get Kanter off the floor because he cant guard them?

Okc is gonna pull Kanters shorts down to his ankles and leave him mid court sucking his thumb man.

So Kanter will know Adams weaknesses too. Literally not going to be a difference maker.

And hell no to that analogy. I laughed, but I also cringed. Lmao.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Invest in spellcheck. And grammarcheck.

Everyone knows Kanters weaknesses.

Weakness:
Struggles in every aspect of defense, especially pick n roll.

Dont need to be his ex-team to know that...

Come on bones. Serious?

First im on my phone. Blah blah blah.

Second, playing with a person on the same team for several years will vastly expand the scouting report compared to a few games a year.
Yes everyone knows he is weak on defence. Go at him. Do they all know how and when exactly???

Are you arguing to argue?

What you are saying is my cousin i see a few times a year knows me as well as my ex wife.
Simply not true.

 

[Orion Bailey]

We will have to agree to disagree. I think okc knows him like the back of their hand. Other teams do not.

 

[hoopsjock]

We will have to agree to disagree. I think okc knows him like the back of their hand. Other teams do not.

You do know that Kanter played for Utah too, right? Actually he played there 3.5 years and only 2.5 years in OKC. So using your own logic Utah might know him better.

Besides, Minnesota was up 11 on Denver with 3 minutes left. If they don't blow that lead we would have been the 4 seed anyway even though we won.

 

[Orion Bailey]

You do know that Kanter played for Utah too, right? Actually he played there 3.5 years and only 2.5 years in OKC. So using your own logic Utah might know him better.

Besides, Minnesota was up 11 on Denver with 3 minutes left. If they don't blow that lead we would have been the 4 seed anyway even though we won.

But he is on our team now and were not playing UTAH.

My point being is ADams himself went public with how they know him and destroy him.

My point is im seriously concerned because i feel okc knows better than any other team how to attack him.

And he was on utah before okc wasnt he?

 

[hoopsjock]

But he is on our team now and were not playing UTAH.

My point being is ADams himself went public with how they know him and destroy him.

My point is im seriously concerned because i feel okc knows better than any other team how to attack him.

And he was on utah before okc wasnt he?

I don't get the defeatist attitude. Adams is clearly trying to rile up Kanter because they're buddies.

 

[Chris Craig]

Not sure what you or anyone else wants Portland to do OB.
Portland played 6 players. Four of which were end of the bench players.
Kings pulled their starters and their bench which was fire in the first half, went ice cold and missed wide open shot, after wide open shot, after wide open shot.
Portland even had Nards initiate the offense and dribble it up the court.

Outside of telling players to throw the ball out of bounds as soon as they touch it. What else should've Portland done to lose that game?

Meyers initiating/running the offense...still blows my mind!

 

[Chris Craig]

OB relax bro. We are going to be fine. Kanter is going to have 20/10 + and out play Adams. Not worried about it. Kanter is feeling winning ways, he is intoxicated by all the winning, and there is no going back.

 

[wizenheimer]

maybe it's too simple, but I'm thinking that if Kanter can just about play to a draw with Adams, even if Adams has a little advantage, that will be a big factor in Portland's favor

 

[Orion Bailey]

I don't get the defeatist attitude. Adams is clearly trying to rile up Kanter because they're buddies.

Im not defeated. I voted we win in six. Just voice my very realistic concerns.

 

[hoopsjock]

Im not defeated. I voted we win in six. Just voice my very realistic concerns.

If not defeated you wouldn't want the Blazers to lose a game to get a lower seed and a tougher path to a title.

 

[Orion Bailey]

If not defeated you wouldn't want the Blazers to lose a game to get a lower seed and a tougher path to a title.

Delusions of grandeur.
I just want us out of the first round.

I think two ways. One with my brain and one with my heart.
Sometimes they align, but more often there is a conflict.

 

[Jack Hoffener]

No. Well not much. Lol.
but you must be for not understanding my post. Lol.

Goberr isnt a threat to knowing Kanters game.

Im commenting more on okc in general than just adams.

My point was okc knows Kanters’ weaknesses like no other teams in the league.

Did you hear about how Adams and Kanter are friends but when okc played ny. Adams had to tell the ny coach to get Kanter off the floor because he cant guard them?

Okc is gonna pull Kanters shorts down to his ankles and leave him mid court sucking his thumb man.

Every team knows the book on pretty much any player in the league. Your take is being foolish.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Every team knows the book on pretty much any player in the league. Your take is being foolish.

Okay. Lol.

Again someone who lives with someone is going to know them better than those who do not.

Foolish as it may sound, its valid.

And books vary from author to author. Im saying i think okc has the most accurate and in depth book.

 

[Jack Hoffener]

Okay. Lol.

Again someone who lives with someone is going to know them better than those who do not.

Foolish as it may sound, its valid.

And books vary from author to author. Im saying i think okc has the most accurate and in depth book.

based on what? You have no clue what info any team has on any player in the NBA. He played more years at Utah than OKC so why don't they have the most accurate and in depth book on Kanter? Like I said, your take was based on foolishness.

 

[Orion Bailey]

based on what? You have no clue what info any team has on any player in the NBA. He played more years at Utah than OKC so why don't they have the most accurate and in depth book on Kanter? Like I said, your take was based on foolishness.

And your is based on lack of reasoning. Because he was last at okc. So more recent game play is known.

Utah doesnt also have two allstars that can take advantage of the playbook. Gobert isnt an offensive threat to be a concern for Kanter.

If you dont think okc knows how to drive to the paint and put pressure on him more than other teams then its your take that seems foolish.

Even with a playbook you have to have the tools to put it into play. Okc has them. Utah does not.

 

[KingSpeed]

And your is based on lack of reasoning. Because he was last at okc. So more recent game play is known.

Utah doesnt also have two allstars that can take advantage of the playbook. Gobert isnt an offensive threat to be a concern for Kanter.

If you dont think okc knows how to drive to the paint and put pressure on him more than other teams then its your take that seems foolish.

Even with a playbook you have to have the tools to put it into play. Okc has them. Utah does not.

He was last at Knicks, not OKC. If you think we’re winning in 6, what are you worrying about?

 

[Orion Bailey]

He was last at Knicks, not OKC. If you think we’re winning in 6, what are you worrying about?

I never said he was last at okc.

I mentioned that when he was with the knocks. Okc actually had to tell their coach to bench him before they get totally trashed. This was just last year.


Worry and concerns have different meanings king.

Im trying to be realistic is all

 

[oldmangrouch]

If Kanter can even play Adams to a draw, it will be a pleasant surprise.

 

[HailBlazers]

GM1 @ Half:

Kanter - 10 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK
Adams - 13 PTS, 3 REB, 1 STL

 

[Pinwheel1]

GM1 @ Half:

Kanter - 10 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK
Adams - 13 PTS, 3 REB, 1 STL

Adams blatantly travels.... not called
Kanter does not travel (By NBA standards) and it wipes away a basket