Nets’ Kyrie Irving Delivers Powerful Message From Controversial Ex-Celtic Enes Freedom

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Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles as Caris LeVert #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends during the first half of the Live Match Tournament at the 2022 Eastern Conference

On Tuesday, brooklyn network secure their post-season fate with a slot victory over Cleveland Cavaliers and is currently preparing for a match in the first round with Boston Celtics.

In the play-in game, Kyrie Irving’s fasting during the month of Ramadan gained national attention for the first time. It was pointed out on Twitter before Tuesday’s game, but Tuesday was when TNT’s Jared Greenburg asked him about his high level of play while fasting after the game.

“I am not alone in this,” Irving speak. “I have brothers and sisters around the world who are fasting with me. We keep our prayers and meditations very sacred and when you come out here, I mean, God within me, God within you, God within all of us. So I’m walking with faith and that’s all that matters.

Ramadan is a month-long period from April 1 to May 1 where Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise until sunset. Irving is taking a quick hit this holy month of Ramadan, making his performance even more impressive. Not having his first food or drink until after he’s finished eating while making your first twelve hits in a game is an awe-inspiring feat.

This is not the first time a player fasting for Ramadan in the knockout round has made the news, in 2019 then Enes Kanter was playing the Portland Trailblazers playoff while fasting. The outspoken striker took the opportunity Irving got to know to deliver criticism and a strong message to the Nets point guard.

Enes Freedom Send a message to Kyrie

On Thursday, the free agent decided to call Irving in a tweetsay,

“Hi @KyrieIrving,

I am proud of you fasting and representing the Muslim world.

However, our faith requires that we call out injustices everywhere.

@brooklyn network owner @ joetsai1999are supporting the “genocide” of your brothers and sisters. Speak up my brother! ”

Tweets also featured a linked article from the New York Daily News titled ‘Joe Tsai’s Alibaba Financially Supported the ‘Cultural Genocide’ of Uighur Muslims in China: report.’

https://twitter.com/EnesFreedom/status/1514700519494885386?s=20&t=PfQjvbDgWtwHzAhejzgSlw

In 2021, Enes Kanter legal name change to Enes Freedom and since then, he’s made a point of being behind many of the causes he believes in. He publicly called everyone from Adam Silver, LeBron Jamesnow Kyrie Irving, and more to join him in these causes.

Now, as a free agent, Freedom has claimed the NBA is batting him because he’s so outspoken. Coalition Claims Commissioner Adam Silver refused.

Nets owner Joe Tsai

Freedom’s tweet comes after an article was released by ESPN on April 14 with the headline ‘Brooklyn Nets boss Joe Tsai is the face of the NBA’s not-so-smooth relationship with China.‘The article covers Tsai’s Alibaba and some of its investments, Tsai advocates some of China’s more controversial policies, some of the business relationships the owners have, etc. The report also made a comment about Tsai, who is at the forefront of the NBA-China relationship after Daryl Morey’s comments sent the league into a whirlwind with a tweet.

What Freedom wants Irving to do about this report about Tsai is not clear from his tweet, and how Irving will respond remains to be seen.

One thing that Freedom’s comments shouldn’t be overlooked is how impressive Irving’s performance is in fast time. Playing without food, water, or a regular eating schedule for weeks is a welcome feat.