Utah Jazz: 4 Things Rookie Enes Kanter Can Learn from Al Jefferson

There's a ton of mystery surrounding Utah Jazz top draft pick Enes Kanter of Turkey. Because he was ruled ineligible to play for Kentucky last season due to NCAA violations of the amateurism rules, the average fan has seen little to nothing of Kanter.

Obviously once the NBA season gets rolling, Kanter will spend time on the Jazz bench learning behind Al Jefferson at the 5-spot. Here are four things he can learn from the big guy while the Jazz slowly work him into the pro game.

Getting Physical in the Paint

While Kanter comes to the Jazz with solid stats from his playing days in the U-18 Championships in Turkey where he snagged 15 boards a game, the NBA is a different beast.

Kanter will have to adjust to different rules of the NBA to hone his game and become a force. He certainly has the physique at 6'11", 260 pounds and has been compared to the likes of Alonzo Mourning and Dirk Nowitzki for his athleticism and size.

However, he is raw and experienced NBA players will definitely use that against him.

Big Al Jefferson will be able to show him the ropes in the paint. Jefferson has always been a solid rebounder who boxes out well and blocks shots, especially in his first season with the Jazz where he pulled down 9.7 boards and nearly two blocks a game.

Jefferson's seven years of experience will enable him to teach the young kid how to work the paint and use his size most effectively around the rim.

Shooting Touch

According to scouting reports, Kanter comes with great potential to develop an outside game, but he needs experience on the pro level to master the intricacies of developing moves that make those shots impossible to defend while developing a soft touch close to the rim.

Al Jefferson displayed a pretty smooth touch close to the basket last year and his 12-foot jump hook was difficult to defend and something the Jazz could usually count on.

For a big man, Jefferson is pretty nimble with the ball around the basket and Enes Kanter has even greater athleticism to achieve what Jefferson does. Jefferson will teach him footwork and agility that will bring out that potential in Kanter.

Leadership

Al Jefferson is the kind of quiet leader who goes about the business of consistently bringing his A-game night after night. He doesn't need to scream and holler at teammates to lead; he does so with his play on the court. His teammates and coaches know they can depend on him.

As Kanter learns the pro game, he will see from Jefferson the best way to lead is by his performance on the court. The more he contributes and does his job, the more respect he will gain from teammates and coaches.

Work Ethic

Word has it that Big Al has been working out in Santa Barbara since May. Devin Harris indicated in a recent Salt Lake Tribune Blog that he too spent some time working out with Jefferson:

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"Al's been doing a tremendous job. I know he's been to Santa Barbara since May. I've gone through the workouts with him, so I know extensively how hard he's working and I think people will be really surprised when we get back to work to see how good of shape he's in and the weight that he's dropped."

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It would do Kanter well to join Jefferson in Santa Barbara. Jefferson played all 82 games last season for the Jazz and it was a huge boost in the absence of Okur's declining health the past few years. Recent news indicates Kanter's agent is really concerned about getting his young client back on the court since he is reaching a two-year absence from competitive play; the agent is trying to negotiate a contract abroad, but spots are tough to come by.

In the meantime, Enes Kanter should make his way to California.