Enes Kanter sounds off about the Jazz, gushes about the Thunder

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SALT LAKE CITY — Enes Kanter walked off the floor at shootaround this morning, escaping into the tunnel, seeming like he wanted to avoid having to talk about his return to Utah to face his old team tonight.

But once he got started talking, he sure had a whole lot to say. Kanter claimed to be holding back his true feelings, but he was quite candid in the five-plus minutes he spoke, talking about the difference in the Thunder and Jazz, stopping just short of completely throwing the Jazz organization under the bus.

Here’s a transcript of his very candid interview session:

How do you like your new home? Seems like a good fit for you.

“Yeah man, definitely. I love it. It’s a team I’ve never experienced before and I actually like playing basketball there. I’m just so comfortable and everything is in the right place. I’m just really happy to be there.”

What’s the differences in the system? Why is it such a good fit?

“First of all, it’s everything. The fans, the coaches, the team, the atmosphere is amazing. Everything is falling into place and I’ve never felt anything like that before. It’s so different.”

Rumor is you and Russ are tight. That’s good for a big man and a point guard, right?

“He’s the best [point guard] in the league. I’ve never really had a point guard like that, I’ve never had a point guard. He’s just the best in the league.”

Are you rejuvenated, do you feel like? Do you think you’re playing with more energy, more passion than in the past because of the new situation?

I think the difference is, I like playing basketball there. I think that’s the most important thing. I never liked playing basketball before in my NBA career and this is the first time I felt like playing basketball there, for my team, for the fans, for my teammates for my coaches, for everybody. So, that’s the first time.”

[Random question about keys defensively that no one cares about]

Now that you’re in a situation you’re very happy about, what didn’t you like about being here?

“It wasn’t just a one game or two game frustration. It was a three and a half year frustration. I’m happy for both sides. I think it worked out well for both sides. I’m definitely happy that I’m part of the Oklahoma City team, a winner team, so I think it’s going to go really well in the future.”

What was the biggest frustration over the three and a half years?

“Almost everything. I know I didn’t bring it every night, but I think almost everything was a frustration. But I’m still happy for both sides. It worked out well for both sides.”

It has worked out and almost everyone is a winner in this, but were the frustrations on the court or off the court?

“It wasn’t just basketball stuff. It was professionalism of the team. After I see in OKC, I see this is how NBA teams are. You know how you’re like in a dream and you have a superpower and just don’t want to open your eyes and end the dream? Oklahoma City’s been like that to me.”

So would you consider your time with the Jazz a nightmare then?

“No, I did not say that. I still respect them. I still like my coaches here, I still have friends here, some friends here, not a lot. But still, I’m just saying I don’t want to make no comments on them, but I think when after I went to OKC I was like, ‘Oh man, this is how an NBA team is.'”

What are those good things you’ve experienced in OKC that you’ve liked so much?

“First of all, we have a leader like Russell. And I love my teammates. The fans are amazing. I love the city, it’s a clean city. Everything there is just professional. Everything they do is just for the players, you only focus on the basketball and just go out there and do your job. Like I said again, I really don’t want to talk about it here again, because I have a lot of things to say, but I just don’t want to say right now.”

What do you miss about Utah?

[Long, uncomfortable pause.]

“Mountains. That’s it. I guess.”