NBA commissioner denies league blackballed Enes Kanter Freedom; says Colin Kaepernick comparisons ‘unfair’

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says Enes Kanter Freedom has not been blackballed from the league for talking out towards the human rights violations in China, in line with a report.

Freedom spent years criticizing Turkey, the place he grew up, earlier than setting his sights on the NBA for its enterprise relationship with China. Throughout an interview with the New York Occasions that was revealed Thursday, Silver stated the NBA’s place on China has not modified.

Silver additionally denied that the league blackballed Freedom, saying he was free to talk his thoughts. Silver known as comparisons between Freedom and Colin Kaepernick – who accused NFL house owners of colluding with one another to maintain him out of the league over his protest throughout the nationwide anthem – “utterly unfounded and unfair.”

“We spoke straight about his actions this season,” Silver advised the Occasions, “and I made it completely clear to him that it was utterly inside his proper to talk out on points that he was captivated with.”

Freedom stated that Silver mischaracterized their dialog, however he failed to supply specifics as to what was inaccurate in regards to the commissioner’s account.

The NBA star, who has been probably the most outspoken participant on geopolitical points regarding China’s human rights abuses in addition to Tibet, Hong Kong, and Taiwan’s combat for freedom, added “Freedom” to his authorized identify final yr. He has worn sneakers selling his personal geopolitical initiatives and claims the NBA gamers’ union tried to get him to cease sporting the sneakers. 

“As an alternative of advocating on my behalf, I’ve encountered the union telling me I must shut up and cease speaking in regards to the human rights violations in China,” Freedom advised the Occasions. 

Sep 27, 2021; Canton, MA, USA; Boston Celtics heart Enes Kanter (13) throughout Celtics Media Day in Canton MA.
(David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports activities)

Earlier this yr, the Boston Celtics traded Freedom to the Houston Rockets, which promptly waived him. He hasn’t performed in an NBA sport since Feb. 8 and stays unsigned. In his remaining look for the Celtics, going through off towards the Brooklyn Nets, Freedom scored seven factors and nabbed 12 rebounds.

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“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to appreciate why I obtained little enjoying time and was launched,” Freedom stated. “Nevertheless it does take folks with a conscience to talk out and say it’s not proper.”

Amid the criticism, Silver stated the NBA needs to normalize relations with China, arguing that “nearly each main U.S. firm” does enterprise there. 

“Why is the NBA being singled out because the one firm that ought to now boycott China?” Silver stated. 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 15: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media throughout a press convention on the United Middle on February 15, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Stacy Revere/Getty Photos)

The NBA not too long ago pulled enterprise out of Russia over the invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Silver argued Russia was completely different from China as a result of the U.S. authorities applied an financial boycott of Russia. 

“It’s very troublesome for the league to observe overseas coverage,” Silver advised the Occasions. 

Freedom grew up in Turkey and formally turned a U.S. citizen in November. He has lengthy made waves along with his public pronouncements, beforehand being disowned by his household in 2016 attributable to his assist for Fethullah Gulen – a Turkish spiritual cleric dwelling in exile within the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

Final yr, Freedom advised “The Story” that even when a lot of the skilled sports activities world stays uniformly silent on Chinese language human rights abuses and different allegations towards the Communist management there, “somebody has to do it.”

Fox Information’ Brian Flood and Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report