If the politicization of sport is still much debated, some athletes unfortunately do not escape its excesses. A figure in the league even finds himself in mortal danger because of this, but would welcome this phenomenon surprisingly well!
More than just a basketball league, the NBA is committed to displaying values that are close to its heart. This necessarily involves decisions of a political nature, which is debated even within his community. Because when some fans congratulate her for taking sides on important social issues, others regret it. And then there are those who criticize him for only getting into fights that serve his interests.
Disappeared from the circuit for more than a year, Enes Freedom is now one of the biggest detractors of the North American league, to whom he calls in particular to take a stand against the Chinese regime. Having now become a figure of social activism, the former pivot is however paying the price in his country, where Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government chased him. A decision that would paradoxically make him happy.
Enes Freedom’s affront to Turkey and Erdoğan
Officially in danger of death, Freedom could live with constant fear in his stomach, given the terrifying risks he faces on a daily basis. However, in the columns of The Atlantiche claims on the contrary to have been partly delighted by the threat hanging over him:
When I learned last month that Turkey put a bounty on my head for $500,000, I was almost flattered!
Turkey has been targeting me for years because I use my notoriety as a professional basketball player to denounce its strongman, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. His regime took away my passport, filed 12 complaints against me, and placed my name on Interpol’s “Red Notices” list. He also attacked my family.
The government raided my home in Turkey and imprisoned my father. It also seems like he got my brother fired from his basketball team, and he stopped my sister from getting a job. I was pretty sure I was causing Erdoğan headaches, and the $500,000 is proof of that.
All but intimidated by these various pressure shots sent by the upper echelons of Turkey, Freedom takes them on the contrary as a recognition of the work it is doing. Thus, he obviously has no intention of stopping using his influential voice to denounce the injustices that revolt him. LeBron James just has to watch out, he who is one of the favorite targets from the former Thunder big man!
While the Turkish government is busy trying to silence him, Enes Freedom relishes the fact of being officially in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s crosshairs. It will therefore take more for the former NBA interior to wave the white flag!
