Enes Kanter vs. Steven Adams: Who Should Start?
By David Ramil
"With the addition of Enes Kanter at the trade deadline, the decision of who will be the Oklahoma City Thunder’s starting center moving forward this season is worth debating. Join David Ramil and Jake Fielder in the discussion and let us know who you think should get the job."
In just two games following the NBA trade deadline – both without Kevin Durant in the lineup – the Thunder offense is playing an an incredibly high level. Enes Kanter has unexpectedly meshed with the team and has immediately made an impact. He’s starting in place of Steven Adams, who is still recovering from surgery to a broken hand. But, with the team free-flowing and relaxed – and Kanter a big part of the change – some are openly questioning whether the fourth-year center should keep the starting job once Adams returns.
David Ramil: I think the idea of starting Kanter makes the most sense. He’s clearly more skilled than Adams offensively and the weaknesses that dogged him in Utah – namely defense and passing – haven’t been a problem. Imagine the possibilities once Durant comes back! We’ve already got one offensively-challenged player in Andre Roberson starting – with Kanter, we’d be downright deadly.
Jake Fielder: I wouldn’t say that Adams is challenged though. He’s still very capable in terms of finishing at the rim even if his back-to-the-basket game isn’t quite what Kanter’s is. I really think though that Kanter’s role as an offensive lynchpin diminishes once Durant returns, though. I just don’t see us running nearly as much pick and roll when KD is sitting on the wing. I’d rather see Enes as the offensive focal point with the second unit than an underutilized cog with the starters.
Ramil: Part of the problem with that idea is that we’re expecting Durant to come back and be the efficiently-dominant player he’s always been. Those lingering health issues will limit him somewhat and Kanter’s development should be highlighted to lighten the load on KD. Why wait to have more offensive production out of the center position? Blow out teams early and then have Adams’ defense help maintain that lead.
Fielder: I mean that’s true upon Durant’s immediate return. It will probably take him a while to get back into the swing of the things so, in that regard, I don’t mind utilizing Kanter to help ease Durant back into action. However, he can still do that from the bench. Scott Brooks will just have to be more efficient in how he staggers the rotation’s minutes. I guess I’d like to see them start prepping for the playoffs at this point and I feel the team will be more balanced (from an efficiency standpoint) if the team is used to Kanter being the primary offensive punch from the bench and KD and Russ are your big hitters in the starting unit.
Ramil: The problem is that we’re focusing too much on Kanter’s offense and not nearly enough on his defense. While it’s been much better than expected (with defensive rating of 93.7 since he joined the team) but that’s a small sample size to judge him by. In Utah, he was a little slow and couldn’t adjust to quicker players – so far with the Thunder, he’s faced Tyson Chandler, Jusuf Nurkic and Roy Hibbert, no exactly a “Murderer’s Row” of fleet-footed excellence. Having Serge Ibaka make up for his lapses can’t be discounted, either. The more I argue it, the more I think they need to start alongside each other. You’ve also got to look long-term toward the playoffs. Teams the Thunder could face there don’t have a bigger, slower center that Kanter could defend more easily. The Warriors, Grizzlies and Rockets all employ “small-ball” second units, where Kanter’s lateral speed will be a major liability. I don’t think Adams will have that same problem.
Fielder: I don’t know…maybe I’m just being as stubborn as Coach Brooks. In my mind, Kanter is the more flexible of the two, with Sam Presti surmising as much when he alluded to Enes being capable of playing at the four in his press conference:
I think the team would be well-served letting Adams hold down as the anchor in the paint and bringing in Kanter as the game plan dictates. I think a lot of the allure with Kanter starting is just that he’s the shiny new piece and the first time that Marc Gasol or Draymond Green spin Kanter around and then slam one home on the Thunder, the allure will wear off. That being said, the Thunder are in the enviable position of probably not being wrong no matter who they choose. It’s the benefit of having two highly-skilled, 20-year old centers.
"Adams is still out for at least two weeks, so there’s still time to decide and Kanter may indeed revert to a less-effective player. Whatever the final decision, it’s clear that the Oklahoma City Thunder have two viable options to start at center – both bringing a unique skill set to the position. Who do you think should start?"