Enes Kanter

is under review. Will germs take away the easiest way to celebrate your favorite player doing something cool? Will it be replaced by a head nod, or a polite bow, or like a running man from six ft away. It's things like this that keep me up at night, and I need my rest because I'm continuing to talk to athletes and sports industry professionals about what they're doing in quarantine, hoping to figure out if famous competing as much as I miss watching it. This is the No Sports Report.

One of my favorite NBA players is Ennis Cantor, and for many reasons. You see, this guy went through a lot to play professional basketball in the United States. He left his family behind in his dangerous homeland of Turkey, a country whose government he's criticized publicly and as a result, received serious death threats and been completely disavowed from speaking

to his relatives still living there. And on top of that, at seventeen years old, he had to hop from high school to high school trying to find a program that would find him eligible to play, despite having a professional contract at one point in another country, and after finally playing in a senior year at a school in Simi Valley, California, he committed to Kentucky, the basketball institution that planned to thrust him into the spotlight and get him ready for

professional competition. Well, that is until they found him ineligible too. The good news about Cantor is that since these false starts, he's put together quite an oppressive NBA career. Drafted by the Utah Jazz and then traded to the Okay See Thunder, where he was the first player in franchise history escore at least thirty points and grabbed twenty rebounds in a game.

He since made himself a dependable utility player, especially in the playoffs, with stops in New York, Portland and the team he signed with right before the season the Boston Celtics. He's been a fan favorite at every stop, even though his true passion seems to be that of a despicable w W e heel. I talked to Ennison depth about his eventual career in pro wrestling, the Lovable Enigma, that his Taco fall, the end of Ramadan and Quarantine, and if the Undertaker's eye roll thing is real get ready

to have a brand new favorite basketball player. On this episode of The No Sports Report, from It's Cancer to accept Press one. Hello, Annie, Hello, how are you doing? I'm good? So I wanted to start off by asking where are you currently quarantine? And how is it going for you Chicago right now? Okay? And and how would you say you're surviving pretty good? You know, because right now we have in our houses and and literally just doing nothing. I'm not gonna lie I gained seven to

eight pounds. Great, But the good thing is it is Ramadan, so like I'm probably having like the easiest romba I've ever had. See now, I was gonna ask you about that. We're talking on one of the last days of Ramadan, and I wanted to know it seems to me now here's my thing. It would be harder for me during quarantine because I have more time alone to think about food. Well true, that's that's one way to look at it.

But like, well, if you're playing a game, if you're practicing, if you are walking out, trust me, it is so much harder than just been at home fit just thinking about food. Right But like right now, I'm obviously I'm still trying to work out and stuff, but it's definitely the easiest I've ever had, so I know, such a big part of Ramadan is staying connected with the community and being able to meet and go to a mosque, and that is something that has been taken away, uh

this year from you. How are you being how are you trying your hardest to stay connected? I mean it's definitely tough because my man is all about the lacing your body and soul and also focus on your inner robe and listening to yourself to be a better person. And then also again just because of this is happening, it is not possible to just go out there and do iftar if mus like breaking your fast with family and love MOUs because if you don't know anything about Ramada,

this is how I explain it. It is thirty Thanksgiving Day dinners in a row, you know, because because you fast all day and the end of the night, you come with brands and families and you know love, they're the ones you care about and they just just have little bit them and share things with it. So it is more than just food. But just because of this, pandemics happened. Obviously it's not possible, but you know, we're still trying to do to some kind of connection over

the zoom or something right. And speaking of celebrating, you, like many of the people I've talked to on this podcast, which is startling to me, you celebrated a birthday while in quarantine. What did you do? What did you do for the big day? It was a sad birthday obviously, because like birthday is all about go out there, hanging out with your friends, celebrated with your loved ones. But uh, I was just set out home. I had a lot of cookies, like a lot. I had a lot of cookies.

It was like it was like a cheat day for me for sure, But you know, it was just like it was a quite birthday. Okay, I don't because I don't want to imagine and a scancer, just a loan at a table with a cupcake with one you know, candle in it. Well, I wanted to know. I've read that you are a big reader. You love documentaries. What have you watched? What have you read during this time? There's actually a show on Netflix. I really like. It's a dirty Money. I don't know if you ever heard

that before. I did a little bit because there's a big Jared Kushner episode right there you go, and I mean they did they talk about lots of things. I mean obviously said of just watching a movie and getting nothing out of it. I was just like, you know what, this is like quarantine time. So I'm just gonna like not waste my sound was actually use it in good

so like I'm actually watching that. There's actually a really interesting show called The Family on that Flix too, and I know the people, so like that's why I wanted

to watch it. But but the books, you know that there's a really good motivational book that Coach Bred bread Steams actually give it to us during the season Lettles Eat Last, you know, I mean it's especially on this time you need motivation because like when you're sitting in your house and it's like you don't want or you don't feel like just going out and working out, you know. So like right now, I think that book has been amazing to me. And I'm sure there other book players too,

So it's, um, it's been a very productive you know. Yeah, did did you get into the Last Dance at all? Last? I did actually watch it? Yeah? Were you talking about goose Bumps Man? And it's like when you watch that documentary, I'm like, like, right now, I want to just go out there and stuff playing basketball, like right now. But like it was the best time they put it out there because everyone at home they are dying to just watch any kind of sport activities. But I think the

last sense was that's only like a breath, you know. Yeah, was there anything? I mean, Jordan's mind frame was so rare and so unique. Did it bring to mind any teammate you've ever had? Was there when you saw it? Did it? Did it bring back any memory of someone you've played with? I will say maybe Lass Westbrook, But if you look at his mindset, if you look at his mentality, I will say Kobe Bryant for sure, because I mean, obviously they just give them some percent. They

don't care about no haters or distraction. They focus on what they need to focus on, and it just becomes not just like a support that they played, becomes like a lifestyle, you know. So it's not like going to practice and work out two hours or going to playing play two hours and leave. No, it just becomes a lifestyle, you know. I think it's just with mentality that what

they do on an offtok. It was just amazing. You have a very rare perspective on the global pandemic and the globe in general because you have a grasp on so many cultures, whether it's Swiss or Turkish or or these I wrote down the United States you've lived, and I've probably missed some, but here's here's a list I wrote down quickly. Nevada, West Virginia, California, Kentucky, Utah, Oklahoma City,

New York, Boston, Chicago. Right, okay, So what have you noticed about the differences in these states and what you're seeing happen during this major event amongst people that the

reactions that people are having. I mean, I'll just say this first, our world are experiencing stuffing like every experience before and whenever you turn on the news man, it's like there's so much negative news and people forgetting the main goal that when you turn on the news there's like, okay, decided attacking this side the market, Democrats attacking the Republicans, people attacking this like we have forgeten our main goal. Main goal should be like Okay, how can we get

through this together? You know. I feel like around this time it's a lot of positivity. But every state, every city does some different things. I mean I watched I think it was the mayor of Vegas. I was talking to Anderson Cooper, and I was like heartbroken by what she said. It was like, oh my god. And in the same time I listened the mayor of Chicago. I mean, she is just well, probably right now like doing one of the most funniest and the safest I guess may that.

I don't know if you follow her on Twitter, She's like, your jump shot was broke and it's going to stay broke after quarantine, So just like stay in the house. Yeah, I feel like, you know, just people are forgetting the main goal. It's just like we should just stay as one and fight against this together, not like oh there's

there's said this, you know absolutely. I mean you have lived in both red states and blue states your entire time here in America, and I guess you've been able to see both sides, and like you're saying, the best best case sterio is that we could at least work together to beat a global pandemic. Exactly. Yea, yea. When you were growing up, your mother was a nurse. Nowadays we depend on them more than other. This is clearly a sacrificial job. It really shined a light for me

on medical workers on the front line. Did you always know growing up that your mom was putting her life on the line actual be not? You know, till this happened, I didn't know how. Obviously I knew how, you know valuable that the doctors and nurses are brother I didn't know this much. I mean literally, they put their not just their life, their families life online too, to make

the world better and healthier. And it's it's a huge sacrifice because those doctors and nurses have kids in their houses, have you know, husbanes and wives in their houses, and they literally just say, okay, you know what, I'm going to sacrifice for my whole family in my life and try to make people better. And so now I appreciate more deafitul. I appreciate teachers, and I appreciate the you know,

the nurses board up because like you ask anybody. I don't have a kid, but like whoever I talked to, it's at the homeschooling is the words they going kids are going crazy, you know. So like so I feel like the you know, the teachers and nurses, man, they're so precious. I'll throw in supermarket workers as well. I never saw them as frontline workers and now now they're my hero exactly a little bit of basketball talk, the

NBA season, rumors returning soon. I want to know this is a very broad question, but if you had to pick somewhere to hang out for about a month or two, would you go to Las Vegas or would you go to Disney World. I have a dis in perspective. I feel like the West maybe she'll play in Vegas and Eastern Conference shop play in Orlando, and then after the final they can just go to one place, because if you're trying to move the whole Lakers to Orlando will be like a four five hour s thing, you know.

Or if you want to move to I don't know, like us all the way to Vegas. It's like four five hour thing. But like, I mean, if I have to pick, obviously I will because of the mayor of Vegas. I've kind of state of Vegas right now. Might tick Orlando because obviously because of Disney, they said, obviously cannot go out there and hang out. But like I'll probably

say Orlando. Well, they're saying, I mean, these are again rumors, but they're gonna have families there and stuff, so they do think they might open some parts of Disney World for people to have some life outside of the game. So I'm I'm voting for Disney World with you. I mean, I don't know how they're gonna do it, but I mean, good luck. I mean, and that's that's a that's a

bigger question for you. After the Adam Silver call, which you've been rather candid about, and discussions within your team, would you do you feel safe. I would just say this, not from my team, not from the Celtics, but there's so many players out there that do not want to play I heard, because like it's a huge risk and they're saying, I'm not going to risk my life to

just go out and play basketball. But I mean, if you're asking me as my other Celtics teammates, I mean they trust NBA, and I think Adam Silver been doing an amazing job. Especially every other major league are taking an example of what NBA is doing. Because India was the first world first thing to suspend itself. So NBA and that have Silver played a huge role on this. If the NBA opens up, and I know other major league going open up to so I mean, if if

it's all safe to go, yes, I'd love to play. Yeah, it's day to day, and I like you said, Adam Silver is different than any other league missioner and he even just as a fan and players I love like you guys in Boston and so many teams. I mean it's like I would I trust him enough? Yeah, I just tend to cancel the peasion. They should give it

the MVP. Adam still he should should. I also say that a funny m v P vote would be to a Lonzo Ball because he was the only guy who would come out on the court to that game that they canceled. Did you ever see that he just came and practiced by himself. I was like there's your m v P. He has nothing else going on. He's he doesn't care about a huge pandemic. Uh my big question, big question here. Do you miss Taco Fall as much

as I do? You know, when I saw him first Ensemble League the last summer when he was playing, I'm like this, dude, it's going to be a rock star. Yeah, he's not a superstar rock star because like this personality, how humble he has helped down to earth his cool. His lack room is right next to mine. Yeah, gool lacks room guy, always been bringing positive energy. Obviously, now we we we do miss the guy. Well, I mean we based down probably like three full times a week

and see how like how easily doing that stuff? Yeah, he needs a good dude. Man. I like them a lot. And you guys as a team have been doing U Instagram lives. We did do Instagram as well. We do a lot a lot of Zoom conferences because like you still want to build that team chemistry. Right, every Tuesday we have chapels and every Wednesday actually had this motivational with Halt that we invite some celebrities to come and

give us a talk. Right month, Wolburg came Baby ortees On, Paulits came, and John came from hangover a Terry Crews game. So it's been so nice to see your teammates more within its cantor after this. Right now, Feeding America is working tirelessly to ensure our most vulnerable populations, like students who are out of school, the elderly individuals whose jobs are impacted, and low income families continue to have access to food and other needed resources during the COVID nineteen pandemics.

The Feeding America Food Bank Network is committed to serving communities and people facing hunger and Americ RICCA, and their greatest need is donations and support of local food banks. This podcast is committed to donating a portion of the proceeds from the show to Feeding America, and we hope that you can join us in this effort to find out how you can help. But Feeding America dot org backslash COVID nineteen and now the rest of my chat

with the Boston Celtics and its cantor. Well, let's get into what I really want to talk about, which is w w E. I am a big fan. I also in a prior life, I was a writer of Monday Night Raw back in two thousand five. So so I can hang with you. Yeah, I can hang with you. When did you start watching and what drove you to be such a fan of pro wrestling? Okay, so first time I started watching it, I was in college, you know, because I couldn't get the college basketball because of some

you know, eligiblutive stuff because I played professionally whatever. So and then I was like, wanted to get a hobby. And I stopped watching it when I was seventeen years old, and I'm like, wow, this is like so amazing. And I actually once to one of the matches in Indiana because it's close to Kentucky. It was like, basically my world, I'm going to become a wrestler. I was watching. I remember watching it came I'm like, okay, this is amazing. And after that, you know, I was just like keep

watching it. But like, my favorite was Undertaker obviously, but the most heartbroken moment I had, my whole mba and the whole American life said when on the Taker loss in WrestleMania against Brock last Man, it was so shocking. Oh my lord. It's hard to tell people who aren't inter wrestling. What it meant you have? Oh my god, I really truly felt it was the streak. It was the cal Ripken streak. I thought it was supposed to be the thing that never gets broken. And and then

there went away so fast, actually they did that. I was so heart broken. You have no idea I actually get to meet him. So I was p placed on the nick. I actually get to meet a lot of the wrestle, like John Cena, and so I actually get to me will run the Rousea almost sure the street her she was so nice and I'm like, how is she like that where she was fighting? She's like one of the like the matest person I know. Yeah. Um, and then I met under Taker. Yeah. Well that was

the weirdest part about writing there. It's like, you know, you go in there as someone who just watched on television. I mean I had a different history. I mean most kids in America we ended up watching pro wrestling, you know, Whole Hogan and such growing up, and you know, good guys and bad guys. And then there you are in catering and you know, Ray Mysterio is eating you know, a hot dog, and he's he's sitting next to you know Sean Michaels who's talking about his weekend. It's just

like this is just a workplace and that's the weirdest feeling. Yeah, So I actually went to the backstage. I saw some of the wrestler's girls and guys. I'm like, oh my god, this is so amazing. But say've time is so weird. Actually get to be a Midway undertaker in mastercare Garden. He came to my locker room and I always wanted to like know that the eye roll in. Think it's fake or not? And I asked him and I took a video, but it's actually on my Instagram and it's real.

He did that, So actually I should sat and talk to him a little bit. He asked me how older your kid. I'm like I am back then, I was like twenty five. He was like, I got boots older than you. I'm like okay, but like he was my like idol. My knees were shaken. Yeah, just because of my play for it for the next Paul Human actually just comes to some of our games and he's actually my really good friend. He actually was like, hey, let's go. Are we doing this? I'm like the like relaxed I

gotta finish my basketball career first. Then I am all yours. Oh, I didn't want to talk about that. At number one Hayman Rules. Shout out to Paul him and a great guy. You were able to make an appearance in the w w E already one of the most historic buildings for that business, which is Madison Square Garden. You won the seven title, even if for just a few minutes. What was it like to be in that ring for you? Oh?

You have no I was so nervous, and Paul Human said, you're going to be the one of the most hated person in New York that night. Are you ready for it? I'm like, I booned for this. Let's go so like I've turned them. I want the title. I revealed my jersey was a Tolpic jersey. The whole crowd was bullying because I played for the team. They should love me, sir, But the whole crowd was bullying for me. It was just like the lifetime experience. I actually in the backstage,

I got to meet with and Which McMahon. I talked to the tchiplation a little bit. He's like, man, sure you keep my number in your phone. I'm like, okay, sure, that's great. Do you feel more confident as a heel over a baby face? For sure? Oh my god, I'm gonna be healed. I'll be the hill, like the biggest

hill that that that we dout we ever seen. What is it that you like about being I mean, I know you troll certain people obviously this this last week you put up a little bit of a troll on on Jonas and Harden uh and then you know you went you went at Lebron in the past. I mean, is that kind of where you feel, you know, the most, the most fun. I feel like it is more fun, like entertaining people more. And it's like for me, it's all about like gett people's face and trash trop to

them and troll them. I don't tut well, I trash talks a lot, but it's just definitely more fun to just go out there and just be a hell be a bad guy. I don't know why, I just like it better. What do you think about Gronk as your current seven champion? So the sum Slam was going to be in Boston and Atidic Garden this summer, but I think it's canceled. So I was thinking, like, if me and Ground go against each other, the Boston crib has

will go crazy. You know. The only way you can get that to be bigger is if Brady is the rest. Oh my god, right now they probably hated so with a huge reveal of his jersey. Who would you say are your current favorite superstars if if you're watching every week? Oh man, I guess so many of them right now. Hold on, um, I like the big dogs. I like the big dogs. I like the Big Dog a lot from the girls. Actually that they never was my really

good friend. Yes, I'll probably say her. Did you watch WrestleMania and what did you think of the cinematic matches? Those sort of out of the ring movie things? Oh my god, russa Maniel was like the biggest events right Like this year was like so awkward and weird because with no fans, it's like you only here like the resting moves and the ring whatever, but nothing else because the rusta man is all about the fans going crazy, wildness whatever. But it was a little lot more, but

they still did it. I guess I'll think it. Did you like the stuff that was outside of the rings? You know, these kind of like movie matches. I like it, so yeah, okay, what would be what would be the n Scanter movie match? Like if you if you had to set up a cinematic thing, would we would we

start in a basketball court? Where would we be? I think just because I'm coming from basketball, so like I'll be playing one on one with somebody, and then as soon as he's like taking a shot, right, I'm probably just like attacking him and just like I don't know, just body slamming him. I told one of my friends, like, can I like? Tom Stollman is like, you're not there yet? Yeah,

and you know you're not. You don't want to bring nobody to make Tombstone is the one move that I think Undertaker is the only one really allowed to do it because it's so dangerous. Yeah. I think my dream for cinematic matches at this point is that it is the only way we could get the dream match of Undertaker versus Sting, see because Sting doesn't have to keep up he's older. But in the cinematic match, you can hide it. Oh my god, Yeah, you know what that

would I hope it happens. You have been very open about your plans to become a sports entertainment superstar when you do retire, and you said recently the open door offer from Vince seems to be there. When you watch any wrestling, do you think to yourself, now, that's who I need to have a match with. Is there someone that you see out there that you're like, that's my guy that I got to take down? Oh? Man, I'm trying to think. I want to say, like, big show. Wow,

I'm going for a big I'm going for a big show. Yeah. See, you're you're the opposite of me. You see someone very big and you go, I gotta take him down. I think, who's in two oh five? Who's who's the smallest guy that I could go for? Exactly? Wasn't the Beatles' Oh yeah they have they have the guy Chad Gable? Yeah yeah, yeah cha, yep, he's very little. Are there any other NBA guys that you know who are huge dressing fans like you that you connect with? I think I think,

m hmm, I can't remember any. Yeah. Yeah, I think you might be the king of it. Hey, I'll take it. I also think you'd be good as a tag team, and I would love to suggest Taco as your partner. Oh my god, I was actually thinking a two person either Taco or Steven Adams. Steven would be incredible. Steven also would love to play the heel with you, I think, so, I think, so yeah will be like it will go viralent. Yes, he's a he's a true at like you. I think

he finds his happiest moments as a heel. I think I think when you think about it, when do you see yourself going there? How many years do you think you have left in the NBA when you when you look at wrestling, and I think you'd be making a transition. So I think I'm hoping to play five more years. Okay, so I gotta finish up like FoST fifty years in the league. That's not too bad, that's I mean, that would be incredible. And then then pro wrestling, man, I hope,

so yeah, I know it will be amazing. Okay. So, I think all wrestling fans have distinct moments from watching it over the time of their lives, you know, just sort of little moments that they connect with, Like I remember when Chris Jericho debut in the w w E I was a sophomore in college, or seeing Punk's pipe Bomb. I was at my apartment in West Hollywood writing on a project I hated. Do you remember your milestone moments, things that you know coming up, whether in college or

rookie year in the NBA. What was something that you remember from w W E that you you look back and it's your favorite. I remember, like when I was in Kentucky the undertaking out a match again be came. So they like brothers right when they're like they both like this like scary character, but when they go at each other. I think that's definitely one of my favorite.

The brother is of Destruction, Yeah, that's right. And the Paul Bear, who it might be their dad, I think it's still kind of up in the air if he's their real biological father. I know him, man, I know, all right, Paul Bear. Uh So we usually end with something positive and then something stupid, but I'm gonna change it up today. Let let's first ask you. Is there anything that has happened during the pandemic that you hope we keep as a practice even when things clear up

and we're out in the real world again. Is there any sort of new human behavior that you hope sticks. I think like this pandemic show how much we needed each other, and right now our world need players the most. I feel like that's what I'm really focusing on. I mean, it doesn't matter what your religion, what you're seeing color, what's your ethnicity, or what's your background. I feel like the most important in life is the video difference on the table and trying to find what we have in common.

So right now, this pandemic is showing how much we need each other and we just need to just go out there and just fight against one well said well, I usually do suggestions here at the and but I figured we'd do something a little different. People always talk about their wrestling mount Rushmore the top four guys of all time. It's trended on Twitter, I don't know handfuls of times, and a lot of superstars and legends have jumped in with their opinions. So we each pick our

top four wrestlers of all time. These are the faces that are to be etched to the side of the mountain. I can go first if you want, so, you can collect your thoughts. You go first, Go ahead, Okay, alright, I have number one. I have him for sure. He's changed the game. This dude is the most fame in my opinion, the most famous man on the planet. He started in pro wrestling. I think Dwayne the Rock Johnson is my first induction into Mount Rushmore. My second is

a glass shattering Stone Cold Steve Austin. I think if you look back at the legends and all the moments and the things that have happened, Stone Cold uh is at the front and center of all of it. He was the attitude era as one person. So I say, Steve Auston. Third, I think you never get to where we are right now in the w W E if it wasn't for the first initial boom. So you have to say, Hulk Hogan. Yeah, oh my god, you're taking the good kay. All right, listen, there's there's a lot

left huld Cogan up there. Listen, Let's pretend you never said anything weird. Hulk Hogan the wrestler, not the man. Okay. Fourth, Now, this is my controversial pick because there's a lot out there, and I know your your number one is is it was right on the cusp of being my number four, But my number four is Vince McMahon. Wow. Okay, all right, okay, because the character not even the Man. I'll say the

Man obviously he started the whole thing. But but the character of Vince McMahon, I think pushed wrestling and also like his matches are really in the atag here. We're really fun and good. Uh So that's that's my fourth member. So those are my four the Rock Stone called Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, and Vince McMahon. Not bad, Okay, So like, okay, let me give you my four. First, obviously, on the Taker, I got, I gotta go on. The Taker is my favorite. Yea.

The second, like you said, I'm going with you know the Rock, Yes, I think you know. Like you said, what he did for Resting and it was just amazing. I'm going with Oh there you go. Good one. Yeah, I'm going with it. I think it's just Rick Flair, just the wood and everything was just so amazing. Wait, so was your was your first connection to Rick Flair, like when you were at Kentucky, like you had not seen the earlier sort of southern w c W stuff. I did not know. You have a lot of good

YouTube videos. I know my last Pagan right, that's not bad. You have Undertaker, the Rock, Ric Flair, how Cogan. We share the rock and hold Cogan and then obviously your undertaker was going to be one. I mean, listen, I can only hope that one day. I can only hope that one day I remove Vince McMahon from my number four and I replace it with Ennis Cantor. Oh wow, hey,

I love that. I love that idea. That's my goal. Well, and as thank you so much for talking to me, and uh, please stay safe and healthy and have a great endi a Ramadan, I'm excited for you to start eating in bulk. Thank you, guys, So I'm appreciated man. The No Sports Report is produced and distributed by tree Fort Media. The show was executive produced by Kelly Garner,

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