Enes Kanter Freedom slammed LeBron James for his recent remarks on WNBA champion Brittney Griner, who is being held in Russia on drug-related charges. In a preview for an upcoming episode of “The Shop,” James stated that Griner has been in Russia for “over 110 days” and asked “How could she feel like America has her back? I would be feeling like, ‘Do I even want to go back to America?’”
James later walked back his comment on Twitter, saying that he “wasn’t knocking our beautiful country. I was simply saying how she’s probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she’s been in for over 100+ days!”
In response to James’ post, Freedom, a Turkish native who has criticized Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accused James of “taking [his] freedom for granted.” He stated, “You call it a step back, we call this a walk back. You are free to leave buddy or you can even volunteer for an exchange for her. Some people literally have NO idea what it is like to live in a dictatorship. Keep taking your freedom for granted.”
You call it a step back, we call this a walk back.
You are free to leave buddy or you can even volunteer for an exchange for her.
Some people literally have NO idea what is it like to live in a dictatorship.
Keep taking your freedom for granted. https://t.co/RG28O6co1E pic.twitter.com/QqpPuLrB72
— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) July 13, 2022
Freedom, 30, who changed his name in November after becoming an American citizen has publicly criticized James in the past over issues unrelated to basketball. In November, he offered to “educate” James about human rights abuses in China after criticizing James and Nike for remaining silent on the issue. Freedom also believes the NBA wants him to retire because of his political candor and was recently waived from the Houston Rockets.
Griner has been in custody since February 17, when the Russian Federal Customs Service said it discovered hashish oil in her luggage at an airport close to Moscow, just a week before Russia invaded Ukraine. The eight-time WNBA All-Star and former first overall selection entered a guilty plea last week and is facing up to 10 years in prison. She recently wrote a letter to President Biden stating, “I’m terrified I might be here forever. Please don’t forget about me.” Griner’s wife Cherelle, recently claimed she received a call from Biden and Vice President Harris regarding the situation.
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