This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Enes Kanter still loves the mountains.

"I always like the mountain views," he said with a smile Monday evening. "Good views. I open my curtains today and I saw the mountain views, so that's pretty good."

But unlike last spring when the former Jazz center cracked that they were the only things he missed about his life in Utah, it was a kinder, gentler Kanter who spoke with reporters prior tipoff between the Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"I think I'm over it," said Kanter. "I think they're over it, too."

Eight months ago, Kanter ripped the Jazz organization and egged on a chorus of boos from the fans who once cheered him.

"I think the difference is probably I like playing basketball there," Kanter, whose frustrations led to a public trade request and move to Oklahoma City, said last March. "That's the most important thing. Never liked playing basketball before in my NBA career. That's my first time I start like playing basketball there, for my team, for the fans, for my teammates, for coaches, everybody. That's the first time."

On Monday, Kanter backed off some of his remarks from last spring.

"I think maybe I was a little harsh," he said. "Like I said, I just want to make it clear I had no problems with the other players or fans. I respect the guys. I think they helped me a lot during my career. … I have no problems with the players or coaches or the fans."

In their first meeting last year, there was no doubt the Jazz locker room was fueled by Kanter's remarks. But at shootaround Monday morning, the team downplayed a rematch with a familiar foe.

"Enes is a good player," said center Rudy Gobert. "Everybody here knows him. I think the crowd probably going to be a little more excited, but for us it's just a very important game."

"Just another a game," forward Trevor Booker said.

Asked if there was any lingering bitterness, Jazz coach Quin Snyder said, "I wouldn't even characterize feelings for Enes. I think Enes plays for OKC. We're trying to prepare for a veteran team the way we would any other team. That involves what he's trying to do on the court. To get emotional about that, if it distracts you from your focus and what you're trying to do, isn't productive."

It might take a while — perhaps a long one — for fans to forget.

Kanter was booed loudly and often by the Vivint Arena crowd, a possibility for which he had braced himself.

"It's their choice," he said. "They can boo me or not. I can't control it."

Kanter signed a four-year deal last summer to stay in Oklahoma City. He entered Monday's contest averaging 13 points and 8.7 rebounds a game. His minutes, a source of frustration in Utah, were down around 22 a night — fewer than he averaged last season with the Jazz.

So is he happier with the Thunder?

"I'm happy in Oklahoma City," he said. "Definitely."