Boston Celtics Enes Kanter : A Rebound Underdog ?

With a 31-15 record slightly past the season’s midpoint, it’s safe to say the Boston Celtics are doing better than most people expected. 27-year-old center Enes Kanter is a big reason for that.

After solid seasons in New York and Portland, Kanter agreed to sign with the Celtics this offseason. With the loss of Al Horford to the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston was in desperate need of a big man. Kanter had developed a reputation as an excellent post scorer and rebounder but his defense was questionable and he possessed no outside shot. As a result, the Celtics were able to snag one of the best rebounders in the NBA for only $5 million per year (two-year, $10 million). In return, Enes Kanter has given the Celtics a much-needed glass cleaner and has been able to take over stretches with his inside scoring.

Per 36 minutes, Kanter is averaging an impressive 18.9 points per game to go along with 15.9 rebounds. This is the fourth-highest mark in the NBA. Of every player in Celtics history that has played a minimum of 500 minutes, Kanter ranks second in terms of total rebound percentage.

Enes Kanter: The Underdog

Recently, in the Celtics Vs Hawks game, Kanter showed his rebound magic. The Hawks lost 112-107 to the Celtics.

32 points from Jayson Tatum (on 10-19 shooting from the field and 7-12 shooting from three), along with a double-double from Enes Kanter (16 points and 15 rebounds). 31 combined points from wings Marcus Smart and Romeo Langford made the difference for the Celtics. They had seen Langford score seven of the team’s last 11 points with Atlanta down just five points with 2:47 left in the fourth.

Kanter, who recorded his eight double-double of the season (Boston is 8-0 when Kanter records a double-double).

The addition of All-Star point guard Kemba Walker, the health of Gordon Hayward, and the development of young stars such as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown gets much of the credit for Boston’s solid season. Kanter’s impact this year is appreciable regardless of anything.