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'He's free to leave': LeBron James slammed for saying he'd rethink US return if he were Brittney Griner

'Over 110 days, now how could she feel like America has her back?' the NBA star said about Griner in the trailer of HBO's 'The Shop: Uninterrupted'

LeBron James has come under fire after making some controversial statements in the trailer for an upcoming episode of HBO’s show, ‘The Shop: Uninterrupted.’ The 37-year-old NBA star spoke his mind on WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner’s situation, who got detained on February 17 and is on trial in Russia for drug possession, and criticized America’s efforts to bring her home.

In the trailer, which was released on Tuesday, July 12, LeBron can be seen saying that Griner has been held captive for too long and the US government has not done enough to bring her home. He expressed by saying, "Over 110 days, now how could she feel like America has her back? I would be feeling like, 'Do I even wanna go back to America?'" However, after the trailer was released, many people were critical of LeBron's statements and were quick to share their responses. Nick Adams, a conservative political commentator and an author who got endorsed by former President Donald Trump, wrote, "LeBron James should join Brittney Griner in her Russian jail cell."

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Another said, "Lebron James, who wouldn’t be a billionaire anywhere else in the world except America, is now using the Brittney Griner situation to once again dump on America. Maybe he should personally go over there and get her out. I think he should go over there and straighten Russia out!" Clay Travis, a writer, said, "LeBron James, professional idiot, says he would question ever returning to the United States if he’d been arrested in Russia like Brittany Griner." While, Nick Young, a columnist for the Washington Times, wrote, "LeBron James says if he were Brittney Griner, he'd question returning to the United States. 2 things: 1. He's free to leave at any point... Why not China since he loves the CCP? 2. There's no rush to decide now. She's got 10 years to think about it."

LeBron defends after backlash

Ever since Griner's detainment, President Joe Biden and his administration have been widely criticized for not getting Griner back to the US from what the State Department has deemed wrongful detainment. Criticizing the same LeBron defended himself by saying, "My comments on “The Shop” regarding Brittney Griner wasn’t knocking our beautiful country. I was simply saying how she’s probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she’s been in for over 100+ days! Long story short #BringHerHome." 

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Griner's current situation

Griner, who was arrested for possessing vape cartridges containing hashish oil at a Russian airport, recently appeared before a judge and will appear again in court on July 14. She has expressed her desire to enter a plea of guilty to the drug charge after 110 days of imprisonment in a Russian cell. However, the basketball player has not yet received a verdict and could spend 10 years in prison.

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