This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
When the NBA playoffs started, Enes Kanter would always tune in. It was his favorite time for basketball, and the teenager would soak up as much postseason basketball as possible through the magic of television.
Now, Kanter's a 19-year-old center with the Jazz. And after taking the court during Games 1 and 2 against San Antonio, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2011 draft said one of his childhood dreams has become reality.
"Last year, I couldn't even play. Now, I'm in the playoffs with the team and it's a great experience for me. … I'm learning a lot. I'm watching Tim Duncan. I'm watching Al [Jefferson] going against him. Every time when I'm not playing, the only thing I'm doing is watching," said Kanter, prior to tipoff Saturday for Game 3 against the Spurs.
Kanter hasn't been stuck on the bench. With Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin running a 10-deep rotation during the first two contests, Kanter's continued to back up Jefferson in the post. The young big man played a combined 26 minutes during Games 1 and 2, and he scored eight points on 4-of-8 shooting while grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds Wednesday.
"[The playoffs are] different. The crowd, even how the fans are. People look at the players and they get so much excited," Kanter said.
He added: "Last four of five years, I was always watching the playoffs. Now I'm actually in the playoffs. It's just crazy to me."
No answer
Corbin acknowledged what was obvious after two Spurs blowouts: San Antonio's offense ran at such a high level during Games 1 and 2 all the Jazz could do was hope for the best.
The Spurs averaged 110 points in the first two contests, shooting 52.4 percent from the field and 41 percent behind the 3-point line while posting a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio.
"They have the three-headed monster. They have the post game in Duncan. They have the penetrating game in [Tony] Parker. And … they spread the floor to the 3-point line," Corbin said. "You've got to pick your poison at times. You would hope you could stop all three. But in order to stop one you've got to give up something, and they've been taking advantage of all three."
Briefly
Jazz guard Earl Watson attended shootaround Saturday morning and was around the team for Game 3. … Spurs reserve center Tiago Splitter and forward Matt Bonner were active after initially being listed as probable.
Twitter: @tribjazz