“Controls the media, controls his narrative” - Enes Kanter launches scathing attack on ‘dictator’ LeBron James
Former NBA center Enes Kanter continued to voice his long-held disdain of LeBron James with scathing comments about the NBA superstar. In an interview with Outkick.com, he sounded off James, likening him to a 'dictator' and lamenting the offseason moves of the LA Lakers.
“No other player wants to go play with LeBron… When I see a dictator, I know it – LeBron is literally like the dictator of the NBA," he said.
Kanter continued to call out James' influence on his team and the NBA as a whole.
"He controls the media, he controls his narrative, if you go against his agenda, you get traded, everybody knows it," he said.
The former center spent 13 seasons in the NBA after being drafted by the Utah Jazz in 2011. He said he's spoken with other NBA players about James' presence and influence in the league, and that he's not alone in his claims.
He said many are on the same page with the opinion that LeBron James' son, Bronny James, isn't ready for the NBA and is only with the Lakers because of his father.
"I actually had a conversation with many of the other player in the NBA, and everybody knows that Bronny James... he might be a good dude... but he's not good enough to play in the NBA," he said.
He also said that new head coach JJ Redick is also in his position because of his friendship with LeBron James. The two co-hosted the Mind Your Game Pod podcast that aired nine episodes this spring.
"The reason JJ Redick is the coach is because of LeBron," he added.
Kanter, who after having his Turkish citizenship revoked changed his name to 'Enes Kanter Freedom', has been an outspoken advocate against the Chinese Communist Party. This has put him at the center of international controversy for the past half-decade.
"My whole life im fighting against dictators," he said, before launching into his comparison between LeBron James and dictators.
Enes Kanter says LeBron James blames bad seasons on teammates
As part of his anti-LeBron James rant, Kanter delved into the claims of the former forcing teammates off his squad following disappointing seasons. He highlighted Russell Westbrook, the former league MVP who spent one lone season in LA with James.
"Russell Westbrook was one of the best players in the NBA, he literally got MVP. When the Lakers season fails, LeBron tries to find a player to blame. And he blamed the whole season on Russell Westbrook. He is not a good teammate."
It's far from the first time Kanter has shared his disapproval of James. He specifically pointed out James' ties to Nike in 2021, citing alleged humans rights abuses from the famous company.
Kanter last played in the NBA in 2022 for the Boston Celtics. He averaged 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game across his 13-year NBA career.