“Take the WIN that we can,” Kareem Abdul Jabbar finally breaks silence on Paul Whelan’s saga as Brittney Griner’s return home


“Take the WIN that we can,” Kareem Abdul Jabbar finally breaks silence on Paul Whelan’s saga as Brittney Griner’s return home

Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Paul Whelan, Brittney Griner

One of the greatest NBA players in history and legendary Los Angeles Lakers player Kareem Abdul Jabbar has commented on Paul Whelan still being held captive in Russia in light of Brittney Griner‘s release. The decision to send ex-marine Whelan back to his country in exchange for Griner and Viktor Bout has caused controversy and Abdul Jabbar has voiced his opinion on the matter.

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Griner has spent the last ten months in custody after cannabis oil was found in her luggage at a Moscow airport in February. In a high-profile prisoner exchange on Thursday, the American basketball player was exchanged in return for the Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Paul Whelan, a former marine who was included in the first proposal put forth by the US, was not released, despite the State Department’s best efforts, which infuriated a lot of people.

Following his detention in 2018, Whelan has been imprisoned in Russia for over four years. He was convicted of espionage and is serving time in Mordovia for 16 years. Abdul Jabbar expressed his excitement and relief for Griner’s comeback in a recent Substack article. Furthermore, he said that Whelan’s release would continue to be a top priority for the State Department, as promised by President Joe Biden.

In his substack, he cited: “Various news outlets reported that American negotiators fought hard to have Whelan included in the swap but that Russia would not budge. Right now, we have to take the win that we can.” He also mentioned in the article that no one should play in Russia anymore or play against them as their war against Ukraine is still progressing.

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Also Read: Billie Jean King appeals to bring back imprisoned Marines veteran Paul Whelan from Russia citing Brittney Griner’s example

Who is Kareem Abdul Jabbar and why he’s underrated GOAT

Perhaps the most illustrious player in NBA history is Kareem Abdul. He won six championships, two NBA Finals MVP trophies, and six MVP awards. He held the record for the most points scored in a regular season career and was a consistent player in the league. He is still renowned for his signature shot, the sky hook.

He was selected first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969 after being named the best player in the NCAA Tournament in 1967, 1968, and 1969. Abdul Jabbar retired from basketball in 1989 as the sport’s all-time leading scorer, having amassed 38,387 points, 17,440 rebounds, 3,189 blocks, and 1,560 games played (24.6 ppg).

The 75-year-old was the model of a steady double-digit scorer. Throughout his playing career, he scored at least 10 points in every game, and at the time the streak ended, he had 787 straight games with at least 10 points.

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The NBA created the Social Justice Award on May 13, 2021, with the goal of commemorating a current NBA player for their commitment to social justice initiatives. As a result of his accomplishments, he was nominated to the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams as well as the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Also Read: “He reveals his lack of awareness of how history works” Kareem Abdul Jabbar slams Kyrie Irving for promoting antisemitic content

Paul Whelan left aside as Brittney Griner’s return was secured from Russia

American prisoner Paul Whelan expressed his displeasure that more had not been done to secure Griner’s release in an exclusive CNN interview after Griner was freed.

On the phone interview, he said: “I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred. I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”

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Joe Biden issued a statement from the White House stating: “We never forgot about Brittney, and we’ve not forgotten about Paul, who has been unjustly detained in Russia for years.

Sadly for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul’s case differently than Brittney’s, and while we have not yet succeeded in securing Paul’s release we are not giving up.”

Also Read: Brittney Griner Net Worth, WNBA Career, Endorsements, House, Wife, and More

Also Read: “They will return to the homeland” US government set up a meeting with families of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan

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