The Boston Celtics have beegun hosting regular press availability sessions as the ramp-up to the Disney-hosted restart begins with remote press conferences conducted to get fans back up to speed on where the team is at in terms of preparation for the Florida-based restart.
The Celtics will be heading to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex that is to be the Disney NBA Campus until mid-October next week, located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida — a short drive from Orlando.
One of 22 teams participating in the rebooted 2019-20 NBA season after it was waylaid by the coronavirus pandemic, Boston is slowly working their way back to game shape after a roughly three month layoff.
Enes Kanter said Adam Silver should win the MVP award for all the work he’s done this season.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) July 2, 2020
Speaking with Boston beat writers after a session with Celtics center Daniel Theis, big man Enes Kanter joined the virtual scrum and began by singing the praises of league commissioner Adam Silver.
He suggested the NBA chief ought to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award “if the season finishes,” according to the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn.
The Turkish center concurs with Theis that his teammates are in great shape — especially big man Robert Williams III.
“He looks amazing … He didn’t play for what three months? He comes into the gym and he’s dunking. I’m like, ‘Give me the secret,'” said Kanter via NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg.
Enes Kanter on Rob Williams: "He looks amazing. … He didn’t play for what three months? He comes into the gym and he’s dunking. I’m like, ‘Give me the secret.’"
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) July 2, 2020
Kanter is especially excited about the platform the NBA restart presents, per the team. “There’s so many kids out there who idolize us. We can make a huge difference.”
Known as an outspoken defender of human rights himself, the Zurich native related the pride he felt for teammate Jaylen Brown; “When he is done with his career, he’s going to be known for far more than a basketball player,” said Kanter of the Marietta native via Boston Sports Journal’s Brian Robb.
The Georgian has been taking a leadership role on as a National Basketball Player Association vice president in regards to his work organizing protests in response to the killing of George Floyd at the end of May, as well as the NBA’s response to the calls for racial justice that were forthcoming.
Enes Kanter said he may put “freedom” on the back of his jersey.
“The problems are happening all over the world. That freedom represents the people fighting for their rights.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) July 2, 2020
One of those responses by the league has been to allow players to put pro-racial justice slogans in place of player names on jerseys. Kanter revealed he may simply put “FREEDOM” on his, per Boston.com. “People know what I stand for. I put this on my shoes every night.”
“The problems are happening all over the world. That freedom represents the people fighting for their rights,” he added via The Athletic’s Jay King.
The gregarious big man ended his availability by stating, “Guys, I hope you’re all staying well, I love you all, I miss you all,” according to the Boston Globe’s Nicole Yang, including a simple parting request.
“Please mention me on your Twitters” requested Kanter.
Easy enough.
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