Enes Kanter calls out LeBron James’ support of Communist China

by Seth Udinski

Seth Udinski, FISM News

 

Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter called out one of the NBA’s biggest stars in his continued campaign against China’s human rights violations. 

Kanter wore shoes in Friday’s game between the Celtics and Lakers that depicted Lebron James bowing down and having a crown placed on his head by Chinese dictator Xi Jinping. Kanter also posted a picture of the shoes on Twitter where he essentially accused the outspoken James of only virtue-signaling with his social-justice campaign.

Kanter specifically has taken issue with James as he is the head spokesman for Nike, which reportedly uses forced labor camps in China as part of their supply chain.

James responded after the game, saying that Kanter was trying to use his star-power to promote himself:

I think if you know me, you know I don’t give too many people my energy. He’s definitely not someone I would give my energy to. He’s trying to use my name to create an opportunity for himself. I definitely won’t comment too much on that.

He also called Kanter out for not  “com[ing] up to him” like “a man,” saying that “[Kanter] had his opportunity tonight. I seen him in the hallway, and he walked right by me.”

The Celtics defeated the struggling Lakers 130-108 in James’ first game back after being out for eight games with an abdominal strain. James had 23 points in the game, not enough to help propel his team to victory. Meanwhile, Kanter played 16 minutes, scored 5 points, and pulled down 7 rebounds.

James remained at the top of NBA headlines throughout the weekend, and not for the right reasons. On Sunday, during the Lakers’ 121-116 victory over the Detroit Pistons, he was ejected from the game at the beginning of the third quarter for throwing an arm into the face of Detroit’s center Isaiah Stewart and drawing blood.

Stewart had to be restrained by several Piston personnel members from going after James. Both players were ejected from the game following a review from the officials.

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