“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize why I got little playing time and was released,” he said. “But it does take people with a conscience to speak out and say it’s not right.” “I don’t want to retire at the age of 29,” Freedom said. “Sometimes,” he added, “sacrifice is a very important word, so there are bigger things.” Did Kanter lose his job because he criticized China’s oppressiveness and authoritarianism? Maybe. The NBA has clear financial incentives to avoid triggering China’s wrath and has sometimes bent to expand/maintain its reach in the country.