LeBron James’ platform “The Shop” is making people feel some type of way again as The King has spoken on the plight of Russian detainee Brittney Griner.
In a trailer for the latest episode of his HBO show, James said if he were in Brittney Griner’s situation, he would have doubts about wanting to return to the U.S. based on the response to her detention.
Uninterrupted shares a preview of a new episode of The Shop With Lebron James pic.twitter.com/Ru1rqeYGTM
— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2BlogTV) July 12, 2022
“Over 110 days, now how could she feel like America has her back?” James said. “I would be feeling like, ‘Do I even want to go back to America?'”
Many people took offense at the comments, believing James was downing his country. Tack on the fact that James is the first billionaire to receive the status while currently playing professional basketball, and the outrage gets even louder from those who feel he owes America his enormous success.
James quickly followed up on his comment explaining that it was not meant to “knock” America but instead to provide a glimpse into how Griner would be justified to feel throughout her incarceration.
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
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 13, 2022
“My comments on ‘The Shop’ regarding Brittney Griner wasn’t knocking our beautiful country,” LeBron tweeted. “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”
Griner was arrested in a Russian airport near Moscow in mid-February after Russian authorities said they found vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her bag. Griner has since pleaded guilty to the drug charge in hopes of being offered leniency. She faces a potential ten years in prison.
James’ statement indicates how many feel about Griner’s current captivity. Pop and R&B star Chris Brown took to his Instagram Story on July 7 voicing his support for Griner and frustrations with the situation.
“It’s not my business but…. it’s f**ked up what they doing to Brittney Griner,” he wrote. “If this was a male star athlete yall would be way more vocal and helpful. That sh*t lame as f**k. I wish I could really help her out.”
Even Hall of Fame boxer Roy Jones, who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Russia, is set on utilizing his Russian citizenship powers to help Griner.
“Would I put my life on the line, take a chance to go to Russia to exchange prisoners? Yes, I would,” Jones said to TMZ Sports. “Why? Because if it was my daughter, I would want somebody to do the same thing for me.”
The beleaguered Phoenix Mercury Center penned a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden over the weekend to appeal for his assistance in her release.
“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner said in an excerpt from the letter reportedly shared by her representatives.
“Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore,” Griner continued. “I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”
Griner’s Phoenix Mercury coach, Vanessa, made a statement about gender, race, and the value of Griner’s life to America.
“If it was LeBron, he’d be home. Right?” said Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard on CNN. “It’s a statement about the value of women. It’s a statement about the value of a black person. It’s a statement about the value of a gay person. All of those things. We know it, and so that’s what hurts a little more.”
There have been rumors of negotiations for a prisoner swap for Griner, but James is shining a light on what feels like a lack of urgency for a delicate situation.
