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

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says Enes Kanter Freedom has not been blackballed from the league for speaking out against the human rights violations in China, according to a report.

Freedom spent years criticizing Turkey, where he grew up, before setting his sights on the NBA for its business relationship with China. During an interview with the New York Times that was published Thursday, Silver said the NBA's position on China has not changed.

Silver also denied that the league blackballed Freedom, saying he was free to speak his mind. Silver called comparisons between Freedom and Colin Kaepernick – who accused NFL owners of colluding with each other to keep him out of the league over his protest during the national anthem – "completely unfounded and unfair."

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Nov 28, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter (13) gestures as he reacts to an officials call against Toronto Raptors in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. (Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

"We spoke directly about his activities this season," Silver told the Times, "and I made it absolutely clear to him that it was completely within his right to speak out on issues that he was passionate about."

Freedom said that Silver mischaracterized their conversation, but he failed to offer specifics as to what was inaccurate about the commissioner's account.

The NBA star, who has been the most outspoken player on geopolitical issues concerning China’s human rights abuses as well as Tibet, Hong Kong, and Taiwan’s fight for freedom, added "Freedom" to his legal name last year. He has worn sneakers promoting his own