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The Boston Celtics managed to snag a solid win over the Toronto Raptors as Enes Kanter finally managed to play his first NBA game on foreign soil. However, fans and fellow players are curious about his decision to up and heave the ball all the way to the other hoop after making the defensive rebound at the end of the first half.
It seemed nonsensical for him to make the shot attempt as he doesn't have the shooting chops to even try from the three-point line that often. While it would have been a beautiful pass for a go route, it was a wasteful effort on basketball terms.
However, the Celtics big man gave a comic reason for his decision to throw the ball.
I thought I saw someone from the Turkish Government 😂 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/oSqiEcmrXK
— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) December 25, 2019
His joke was light-hearted, but the implications were a lot more sinister. It reminded everyone involved that Kanter is being harassed by the Turkish government for his vocal criticisms of Recep Erdogan.
Kanter called out the Erdogan government for the human rights violations they have committed. In turn, the Turkish government harassed his family and gave him death threats. They also issued an Interpol Red Notice for his arrest. Due to this, he had to miss out on several overseas trips that were scheduled by the league.
However, the Canadian government ensured his safe passage into Canada, protecting his civil liberties from any threat of arrest. He was thankful for this and spoke his mind in an opinion piece at The Globe and Mail:
“But as they increase the pressure, I am encouraged. As they tighten the noose, I feel liberated. I will use every opportunity to stand up for oppressed people everywhere, be their voice and champion.”
Kanter had a good night in Toronto, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds in 18 minutes of play.
