The grotesque hypocrisy of the Nike-NBA industrial complex, the biggest star LeBron James, has been underlined in recent weeks by Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter, who has embarked on a one-man crusade against the greedy or cowardly Chinese Communist Party.
James, the owner of four NBA championship rings, has appeared in 10 NBA finals, making him the greatest of all time. He is not afraid to express his views on various public controversies and is highly regarded within the fashionable consensus.
Although silent, China is also an employer. They all present themselves as advocates for social justice, bravery, and ambition. However, their dedication to these principles and beliefs ends within their own borders and financial interests.
King James declared that the NBA, lacking knowledge about the circumstances, scapegoated the Houston Rockets’ GM after he posted a tweet endorsing pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong a few years ago.
“He cautioned that many people could be harmed not just financially, but also physically, emotionally, and spiritually. “We need to be careful about what we say,” the Lakers forward affirmed, emphasizing the importance of preserving our right to free speech.”
The harm caused by government totalitarianism has never been attributed to a small public message of support for plucky idealists who are steamrolled.
During the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, James stood on the witness stand and mocked Rittenhouse’s tears, seemingly doubting their authenticity — because he is an expert on what constitutes genuine signs of post-traumatic stress.
If Rittenhouse had any control over the vast market, he would surely be open to affiliating with the Lakers, as well as corporations, ensuring that he stays silent.
James dismissed it when Kanter posted on Twitter, “Choosing financial gain over ethical principles for the ‘King,'” and donned footwear depicting James kneeling to be crowned by Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a Celtics-Lakers match. He alleged that Kanter was “attempting to exploit my reputation for personal gain.”
Actually, Kanter’s activism is calling out the massively influential corporation and his league, which says that everyone values a lonely and unwelcome campaign against the well-heeled interests compromised by a powerful entity perpetrating gross injustices.
Nike’s CEO stated that Nike is a brand for and representative of China, however, the company received backlash in China after expressing concern about the forced labor of Uighurs in Xinjiang, which is considered the center of the regime’s repression.
The measure aimed at curbing a significant human-rights violation was greatly undermined by the corporate giant, as Nike successfully lobbied Congress to weaken an anti-forced-labor bill.
“Who says?” Questions the new Nike advertisement. Undoubtedly, the Chinese government.
You are an authoritarian bully with an enormous consumer base, and you can actually provide. Last year, you intoned an viral ad saying “you can’t stop us.”
If the government doesn’t want to anger a neighboring country, it should think twice before accusing a star athlete of a sexual offense and preparing to invade. Instead, it should just do what Nike, the most iconic ad company, thought was better.
If James LeBron or Nike were to take Taiwan, the situation would be more about piffle and concern of vague expressions than anything complicated.
It’s certain that he will never receive one, and the reason he is deserving of a Nike advertisement that celebrates his honest and independent expression is exactly what we can predict Enes Kanter would affirm.
Twitter: @RichLowry.