It is only right that Enes Kanter's first game with his new team -- the Portland Trail Blazers -- comes in New York.
Well, it isn't being played at MSG, but instead Barclays Center when the Nets host the Blazers on Thursday night. Kanter practiced for the first time with his new teammates on Wednesday, but of course, the New York media had to know how he felt about leaving the Big Apple.
Kanter wasn't a fan of how the Knicks were treating him, as he sat on the bench for most nights until he was eventually released. Though it's still fresh in his mind, Kanter understands why they made the decision, and says there is no animosity toward the coaches or the team.
"They are going in a different direction," he said. "They want their young guys to get better, of course. I understand it but I think I'm going to close that chapter. I even texted Coach Fizdale and everybody and wished them well."
And though Kanter was searching for a new home in the NBA, he made sure to watch the Knicks when they faced the Hawks -- a game in which they snapped their 18-game losing streak before the All-Star break.
"It was fun to see that they won their last game against Atlanta," Kanter said. "It was cool."
The Turkish center went on to describe why he chose the Blazers out of the multiple suitors he had, and star PG Damian Lillard was one of the reasons...