The National Basketball Players' Association continues to stand in unwavering support of Enes Kanter. In the wake of alleged censorship from the league's official Turkish twitter account and a fan at Pepsi Center poking fun at his exile from his native Turkey, the NBPA released a statement backing the Portland Trail Blazers big man.




“The National Basketball Players Association fully supports our players using their platforms to stand up for their beliefs and the principles they support. We stand with Enes and, as with all of our players, will work to ensure that he is treated fairly and with respect.”
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum also released a statement in support of Kanter, noting that the league has cut ties with the local vendor who ran the “NBA Turkey” twitter account. Via Mark Reynolds of the Associated Press:
“Fans in Turkey can watch all playoff games featuring Enes Kanter and the Portland Trail Blazers on NBA League Pass and NBA TV International. The NBA Turkey Twitter account was managed by a local vendor & we are terminating that relationship.”
After the Blazers beat the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals, evening the series at a game apiece, Kanter expressed dismay at the NBA’s official Turkish twitter account conspicuously leaving him out of its recap.
What a messed up country lead by #TurkishDictator @RTErdogan
Only Turkish player out here tonight, and the official @NBA for Turkey @NBAturkiye is censoring me. They dont show blazers games in Turkey. The government controls people,this a problem. How can official NBA allow this pic.twitter.com/Zvny0NwF8C— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) May 2, 2019
On Wednesday morning, in response to a tweet about one Nuggets fan making light of his inability to return to Turkey due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest, Kanter, a vocal opponent of Turkish President Recep Erdogan, tweeted that he “chose to support, democracy, freedom and human rights,” urging Denver to “take control” of supporters at Pepsi Center.
I wish I could go back to Turkey to see Family 😔
But I chose to support Democracy, Freedom and Human rights,
I am grateful for most Americans supporting that right. @nuggets take control of your fans.
This is hurtful 💔
Be grateful for the Democracy and Freedom we have here. https://t.co/SMGu9j3qc4— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) May 2, 2019
Kanter has started at center for the Blazers ever since Jusuf Nurkic went down with a season-ending injury in late March. He's averaging 15.3 points and 9.6 rebounds on 60.3 percent shooting in 30.3 minutes per game so far in the postseason.