Just days after a report surfaced that Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White would not be eligible to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, with league sources bluntly labeling their declarations “publicity stunts,” the internet has found a new way to pile on.
An old clip from Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Playoffs between the Rockets and Thunder has gone viral all over again, and this time, the WNBA world is dragging Kanter Freedom through the mud with it.
Enes Kanter Freedom’s Old On-Court Clash With James Harden Is Going Viral
In the clip, Harden gets switched onto Kanter Freedom on the perimeter and simply toys with him.
Harden stays patient and works through a series of sharp crossovers and hesitation moves, while Kanter Freedom gets crossed up so badly he looks like he’s playing a losing game of Twister. He loses his balance, loses Harden’s angle, and basically loses the possession before it’s even over.
This Enes Kanter clip should never ever die. pic.twitter.com/yCKtzOjuQO
— . (@JoseWorldPeace) August 24, 2026
As soon as the clip started recirculating on social media, the reactions from the basketball community poured in fast.
Some influencers’ comments referenced Paige Bueckers, who has built a reputation around her offensive tactics and ability to create separation off the dribble. Her combination of hesitation moves and change-of-pace attacks has made her one of the league’s most difficult guards to contain.
“On my soul he can’t guard Paige,” one influencer said, whereas another one wrote, “paige would have him on the ground.”
on my soul he can’t guard Paige 😭😭😭 https://t.co/m20B4GN9Ku
— montana ☻🍉 (@backindacloset) August 26, 2026
However, not everyone was convinced that Bueckers was the right comparison for Harden. One influencer directly pushed back, saying, “I don’t think comparing Paige to Prime James Harden is what’s going to get your point across. Right or wrong,” whereas another one said, “This is PRIME JAMES HARDEN… I want Enes in the W solely to put an end to these ridiculous tweets.”
This is PRIME JAMES HARDEN.
I want Enes in the W solely to put an end to these ridiculous tweets.
— Travis J Davidson (@TravisSkol) August 27, 2026
Kelsey Mitchell is currently the Fever’s highest scorer, averaging 24.8 points per game this season. She is also second in the league in scoring behind A’ja Wilson. One influencer went a step further and argued that Mitchell wouldn’t just score on Kanter Freedom, but she’d embarrass him.
“Kelsey Mitchell gonna have highlights for days w this bum,” the influencer wrote.
Kelsey Mitchell gonna have highlights for days w this bum
— Money kobe (@Moneykobe140973) August 27, 2026
However, one user took a completely different approach, calling WNBA fans “delusional” for drawing comparisons with prime Harden.
According to them, the comparison itself does not make sense because WNBA players simply would not be able to replicate the kind of movements that Harden displayed during his prime.
“Women sports fans are so [expletive] delusional. Thats prime James Harden, no women could even dream of moving like him,” the user wrote.
Women sports fans are so fucking delusional
Thats prime james harden, no women could even dream of moving like him
— Bill’s Burner 🅧 (@Bills_Burnr) August 27, 2026
For now, Kanter Freedom’s WNBA Draft comments may have been intended to make a statement, but this old Harden clip has ensured that the basketball world has plenty to say about his defensive ability.
