China's state-run media ridicules critic of Communist nation Enes Kanter Freedom as 'ignorant and arrogant' after he was cut from NBA team



The Global Times — a media mouthpiece for China's Communist government — posted a blistering story Friday ridiculing NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom after he was cut from the Houston Rockets shortly after the Boston Celtics traded him last week.

Why? Because Freedom has been a vocal China critic, particularly in regard to its human rights abuses against the Uyghurs.

What did the paper say?

The Times wrote that upon hearing the news about Freedom, "netizens swarmed" to Twitter "mocking the player who has been ignorant and arrogant on China's core interests and internal affairs such as those involving Xinjiang, Xizang, and Taiwan."

The paper added a comment from Chen Weihua, China Daily's EU bureau chief, who said of Freedom: "Now you can be a full time John Bolton puppet."

World Daily added that Freedom's charge regarding Nike's "alleged use of 'forced labor' in China ... proved to be fictitious and fabricated."

The paper also included what it said was a comment from "another netizen" regarding Freedom's speaking slot at the Conservative Political Action Conference later in February in Orlando, Florida: "I always thought of you as someone that stood for freedom, and then I heard you're going to CPAC, the exact people that are actively taking away freedoms in the US."

And a Beijing-based sports commentator who requested anonymity told the Global Times that Freedom "didn't focus on basketball as a player and lost his job… And Chinese fans can expect to watch Boston's games soon."

The paper added that "Freedom repeatedly made false and irresponsible comments regarding China's Xinjiang in 2021. Meanwhile, he publicly declared his support for Xizang and Taiwan secessionists."

Anything else?

Freedom correctly predicted in an PBS interview last week that he'd soon be gone from basketball due to his views.

"They're going to do everything they can to, I believe, not sign me now."\n\nThe @Celtics' @EnesFreedom to @MargaretHoover \u2014 24 hrs before he was reportedly traded to @HoustonRockets and waived.\n\nHe says the NBA "for sure" wants to silence him for his advocacy & #China criticism.pic.twitter.com/GCJIW2KBOE
— Firing Line with Margaret Hoover (@Firing Line with Margaret Hoover) 1644533701

Freedom became an American citizen last year and decided to officially change his name to Enes Kanter Freedom to mark the occasion.

Last month, Freedom blasted Chamath Palihapitiya, a co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, for brushing off China's oppression of the Uyghurs. "When genocides happen, it is people like this that let it happen," Freedom said of Palihapitiya.

Freedom added in a subsequent tweet that Palihapitiya's "disgusting" comments are "against everything the @nbastands for; I want the #NBA commissioner Adam Silver & @warriors board members to step in and push him to [sell] his shares."

Freedom also has boldly spoken out against NBA icons like LeBron James for cozying up to China and ignoring the Communist nation's human rights abuses.

(H/T: National Review)

Enes Kanter Freedom — NBA player and vocal China critic — suddenly has no team. Just like he predicted would happen.



Enes Kanter Freedom — the NBA center who's made headlines for criticizing China's human rights record, all while playing for a league that craves the communist country's cash — predicted in an PBS interview that he'd soon be gone from basketball due to his views:

"They're going to do everything they can to, I believe, not sign me now."\n\nThe @Celtics' @EnesFreedom to @MargaretHoover \u2014 24 hrs before he was reportedly traded to @HoustonRockets and waived.\n\nHe says the NBA "for sure" wants to silence him for his advocacy & #China criticism.pic.twitter.com/GCJIW2KBOE
— Firing Line with Margaret Hoover (@Firing Line with Margaret Hoover) 1644533701

"Soon" turned out to be 24 hours after his above interview with Margaret Hoover.

On Thursday, Freedom's now-former team, the Boston Celtics, traded him to the Houston Rockets — and with that, the Rockets cut him, Outkick reported.

"Coincidence?" the outlet asked in its headline.

In his PBS interview, Hoover asked Freedom, “Do you think they’re trying to silence you?”

With that, Freedom — who became an American citizen last year and decided to officially change his name to Enes Kanter Freedom to mark the occasion — replied, “Oh, for sure they are."

It's worth noting that the Rockets in 2019 were embroiled in controversy after then-General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong — a move that cost the team significant China partnerships.

Anything else?

Last month Freedom blasted Chamath Palihapitiya, a co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, for brushing off China's oppression of the Uyghurs. "When genocides happen, it is people like this that let it happen," Freedom said of Palihapitiya.

Freedom added in a subsequent tweet that Palihapitiya's "disgusting" comments are "against everything the @nbastands for; I want the #NBA commissioner Adam Silver & @warriors board members to step in and push him to [sell] his shares."

Freedom also has boldly spoken out against NBA icons like LeBron James for cozying up to China and ignoring the communist nation's human rights abuses.

And just this week it was announced that Freedom is slated to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) later in February in Orlando, Florida.

"The world needs to understand! I do NOT care about politics. The only thing I care about is Human rights, Freedom and being the voice for the voiceless," Freedom tweeted Monday. "The question people should ask themselves is; Despite our differences, what can we do to make this world better, TOGETHER?"

NBA superstars demand exit from Houston Rockets because team owner supports Trump: report



NBA superstars James Harden and Russell Westbrook — both of whom play for the Houston Rockets — are both reportedly pursuing trades. Westbrook has reportedly "demanded" a trade, but new reports indicate that Harden and Westbrook want out of the Houston franchise because team owner Tilman Fertitta supports President Donald Trump.

What are the details?

According to TMZ, Harden and "many others" inside the Houston Rockets organization are exploring exit options because of Fertitta's political affiliations.

NBA insider Ric Bucher recently told "The Odd Couple" podcast that Fertitta's political support of Trump has resulted in a "revolt" within his organization.

"What I heard is — and we know how much politics and political position had to do with the boycott and protests during the Bubble — I'm hearing that Tilman Fertitta's strong Republican support and donations is one of the things that is contributing to this dissatisfaction, and those two [Westbrook and Harden] are not the only ones to want out of Houston. Lesser players are of the same mind," Bucher explained, Yahoo Sports reported.

"There is a revolt here because they look at Fertitta as a guy who supports the current president," he added.

What about Fertitta?

According to KTRK-TV, Fertitta donated more than $100,000 to Trump or Republican causes during the last election cycle.

[R]ecords from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show Fertitta donated to multiple Republican party campaigns — from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) to the Republican Party of Texas and the Trump Victory campaign, with the exception of a $10,000 donation to the Arizona Democratic Party in December of 2019.

This year, records show he made a $35,000 donation in February to the "Trump Victory" campaign; $35,000 in February to the Republican National Committee; and $35,000 in July to the NRSC.

After Trump's inauguration, Fertitta, a self-made billionaire restauranteur, was outspoken about his belief in Trump's ability to lead economically.

"Taking so much power away from the government and putting it back in business is going to be great for American capitalism," Fertitta told CNBC in 2017. "And why is America great? One reason: American capitalism."

Still, Fertitta has not unilaterally supported Trump or Republicans.

Fertitta pushed back against Trump's criticism of the NBA in August, and he supported his players when they walked out during the NBA playoffs to protest systemic racism.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Fertitta told TMZ that Fertitta has supported both Republicans and Democrats.

"Throughout his business career, Tilman Fertitta has supported many individuals in public service. He has hosted numerous fundraisers for President Bill Clinton and hosted President George W. Bush in his home," the spokesperson said.

"Last year, he hosted a fundraiser for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as well as supported his longtime friend, Mark Kelly, now U.S. senator-elect of Arizona. He also contributed to President-elect Joe Biden's campaign," they added.

"As a respected business leader recognized across the country, Fertitta supports many Democrats, as well as Republicans," the spokesperson said.

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