Former Boston Celtics star Enes Kanter Freedom took issue with LeBron James’ recent comments on WNBA star Brittney Griner’s imprisonment in Russia. James said the follwing on HBO’s The Shop: “She’s been there over 110 days. Now, how could she feel like America has her back? I would be feeling like, ‘Do I even want to go back to America?’”
James walked back his comments on Twitter after recieving backlash for the anti-American sentiment.
“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,” James tweeted.
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
Freedom stepped in to remind James, if he’s unhappy with the U.S., he can leave any time.
“You call it a step back, we call this a walk back,” Freedom said. “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.”
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
The Biden Administration claims to be working to free Griner. Meanwhile, former Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson says he’s planning on traveling to Russia to negotiate on Griner’s behalf.
From Breitbart News:
“Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is planning to travel to Russia in the near future for talks aimed at finding a deal to free the detained WNBA star Brittney Griner,” reported ABC News.
“Richardson, who also served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary in the Clinton administration, played a role in achieving a prisoner exchange in April that saw Russia release former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed after nearly two and a half years in captivity,” the report added.
Former Boston Celtics star Enes Kanter Freedom tore into LeBron James for his comments over WNBA star Brittney Griner. https://t.co/C0nBJE5Wx5
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) July 14, 2022