Shadow Benched? Celtics Dramatically Slash Enes Kanter’s Playing Time After Unveiling Anti-China Shoes

What a difference a year and a few tweets slamming China for slave labor make. Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter has seen his playing time severely diminished after posting a series of social media messages attacking NBA partner China for oppressing its peoples, leaving some wondering if Kanter is being punished for his advocacy of freedom.

During the 2020-21 season, the 2011 first-round NBA Draft pick was a mainstay player for the Portland Trailblazers. Kanter played 72 games and averaged 24.4 minutes per game. He also earned 11.2 points in Portland, according to the NBA’s stats.

But this year, Kanter has suffered a marked cut to his playing time. Since moving to the Boston Celtics, he has only appeared in two of the 11 games played so far and averaged only 5 minutes on the floor.

Meaning, after going public with his pro-freedom efforts directed at China, Kanter is on pace to play in only 16 games and play only 80 minutes this year after playing over 1,700 minutes over the course of 72 games last year. – READ MORE