Enes Kanter Blasts LeBron James For Anti-American Rhetoric: ‘Leave’

Former Boston Celtics player and human rights activist Enes Kanter Freedom had choice words for Lakers superstar LeBron James after his commentary about the country. 

James made headlines this week for remarks he made about WNBA star Brittney Griner’s prolonged detainment in Russia on drug smuggling charges. 

“She’s been there over 110 days. How could she feel like America has her back? I would be feeling like, ‘Do I even want to go back to America?’” He questioned in the trailer of his upcoming appearance on Uninterrupted’s “The Shop.” 

Kanter, who recently became a U.S. citizen and changed his last name to Freedom to mark the occasion, called out James for his derogatory comments about the country.  

“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,” he captioned a TMZ article about James’ remarks. “Some people literally have NO idea what is it like to live in a dictatorship. Keep taking your freedom for granted.”

“Sad to see so many people bashing [the] U.S when they have no idea what’s happening on the other side of the world,” he posted in a follow-up tweet. “I’m not saying U.S is perfect but if you ever visit, China Turkey Iran Russia NK Venezuela Cuba Qatar Myanmar Rwanda . . . Then you will appreciate what you have here.”

James walked back his initial remarks in a tweet of his own on Tuesday. “My comments on “The Shop” regarding Brittney Griner wasn’t knocking our beautiful country,” he defended.  

“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! Long story short #BringHerHome,” he added, along with the hashtag #FreeBG.

My comments on “The Shop” regarding Brittney Griner 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! Long story short #BringHerHome

— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 13, 2022

Kanter has called out James in the past over his signature Nike shoe line, which he has alleged is produced in Chinese factories that use slave labor.  

Money over Morals for the “King,” he accused last November. “Sad & disgusting how these athletes pretend they care about social justice They really do “shut up & dribble” when Big Boss says so. Did you educate yourself about the slave labor that made your shoes or is that not part of your research?

Marie Finn