Celtics New Signing Reveals Reason He Chose Boston, Wants NBA Title

The Boston Celtics signed Enes Kanter in free agency this summer with the center expected to fill the void by the surprise departure of Al Horford. The Turkey national played a key role in Portland Trail Blazers’ run to the Western Conference finals last season, but decided to move when his former employers gave him just six minutes to make his decision in free agency.

Kanter is clear that he has joined the Celtics to win an NBA championship and believes the league is underestimating the capability of the young Boston franchise despite the departures of Kyrie Irving and Horford. He is certain the team can do well in the league as long as they mesh well during the regular season.

“The reason I went [to Boston] is for a championship,” Kanter told Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype. “I feel like the team is really young and willing to learn and we have an amazing group of guys. I feel like we can beat any team on any floor. All we have to do is just be good friends and stay together. Let’s just go have fun! It’s definitely going to be a very, very exciting season.”

“I think so,” he added when asked if people are underestimating the Celtics. “People are just so focused on the Clippers and Lakers, like you said, and sometimes Milwaukee and Philly. But I definitely think we can shock the world. I already got a chance to work out with some of the guys, and I think it’s going be a very exciting season.”

Apart from Kanter, the Celtics also signed Kemba Walker, who was previously with Charlotte Hornets and he is expected to fill the void left by Irving. The point guard made the third All-NBA team last season and Kanter is certain that he can be the leader the team needs on and off the court. The Turkish center also revealed that Walker was one of the reasons he chose the Celtics in free agency.

“He was in my draft class, so I’ve been watching him a lot ever since he was at UConn. I know what kind of character he is and what kind of leader he is. He’s the type of point guard and type of leader who makes everybody around him much better. That’s what makes him really special,” Kanter said of Walker. “Of course, he’s an amazing player. But off the court, the leadership he brings to the team and the relationships he develops with all of the other players is very important. He was definitely one of the biggest reasons why I chose Boston. I really want to play with Kemba.”

The Celtics also retained their young core of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and have made some shrewd acquisitions during the 2019 NBA Draft. They are not among the favorites to progress from the Eastern Conference, but are certainly in with a chance to make the playoffs and cause some upsets like how they did in 2018.