Can do without Kanter

Written by Jason Brubaker | 09 January 2011

Can we please stop the pity parade for Enes Kanter?

Sure, it's disappointing (although not exactly surprising) the Turkish big man has been ruled permanently ineligible to play for Kentucky. And yes, the decision has brought out the conspiracy theorists in Big Blue Nation, who seem to think that the NCAA, as well as most refs, broadcasters, writers and analysts, are out to get them. Interesting how the fanbase of one of the most popular programs in the history of the sport has managed to convince themselves that the world is against them...

But lets not shed too many tears for Kanter. We're talking about an 18-year old who played professional basketball in Turkey, has been treated like royalty by the UK fanbase since setting foot on campus, and is about five months away from a huge payday in the NBA Draft. Yes, he won't get to play in an NCAA Tournament or experience the joy of making a run to the Final Four. But something tells me he'll survive, especially once he puts his name on that first NBA contract.

Bottom line, Kanter is a professional athlete, and the ruling is correct. No matter which way fans want to spin it, or how much whining they want to do, nothing changes the fact that Kanter was paid to play basketball. I realize some of his salary was earmarked for education, and that's great. It certainly seems he and his family had good intentions. But he still was paid as a professional - period. And allowing kids to play professionally overseas and then maintain their amateur status in the US would seem to open the doors for all kinds of debauchery from agents, hanger-ons and erstwhile "managers" who already clutter up the recruiting underworld.

I know in the wake of the Cam Newton and Ohio State decisions, Kanter's ruling seems arbitrary and unfair. But each case is different, and while everyone may not agree on the rulings, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to compare them. In Newton's case, all that has been proven (key word) is that Newton's father solicited money from Mississippi State to secure his son's services. Whether or not Newton knew about it isn't really the issue, although that seems to be what people want to focus on. The bigger issue there is that Newton is at Auburn, not Mississippi State. Therefore, any money asked for by Newton, or his father, wasn't actually delivered, because Newton chose not to go to school there. In fact, the NCAA has said as much. Their ruling on his eligibility is rooted in the fact that, while his dad may have had poor intentions, no money was actually given to Newton. Now, whether or not you believe Auburn was offered the same deal by Newton's father is another matter that's up for debate. But as of right now, there is no evidence to support that claim.

As for the ruling on the five Ohio State players who received "benefits" and were still able to play int he Sugar Bowl...again the case is different. Should the players have been allowed to play? In my opinion - no. They should have been suspended immediately. But just because they were ruled eligible and Kanter is ineligible doesn't signify the existence of a grand conspiracy against Kentucky. Again - Kanter is a paid professional. The Buckeye players, while guilty of poor judgment and what I consider to be low morals, sold or traded merchandise for benefits. While I certainly don't agree with the NCAA's ruling for the Ohio State players, the two cases and subsequent rulings are not really related.

Besides, am I the only one who felt the "Free Enes" campaign was a little disrespectful to the current players? After all, Kentucky is 12- 3 and the odds-on favorite to win the SEC, despite playing essentially a six-man rotation. Freshmen Terrence Jones, Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb are leading the team in scoring, and former bench-warmer Josh Harrellson has been surprisingly productive, making up for a lack of athleticism with hustle and determination. But despite their efforts, the headlines continued to be dominated by the eligibility questions surrounding a guy who had never played a minute. Nobody is saying that Kanter wouldn't have helped this team. But in case you haven't noticed, we've got a team that's doing pretty well without him.

So let's just agree to move on, now that we know Kanter won't be playing this year. There is no anti-UK conspiracy. The sky isn't falling, and the world isn't ending. We've got a team talented enough to play with anyone in the country, and Kanter is months away from being a millionare. There are no losers here.

Except for the fans who can't let it go.