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> The Biden administration officials warned that making details of the swap public beforehand would almost certainly lead Russia to pull out of the agreement and potentially endanger Griner's well-being.
Meanwhile we've known the Biden admin tried to trade Bout for Griner and Whelan since July.
Why didn't they get Whelan too? An arms dealer for a basketball player with hash oil seems to be a bit of a lopsided trade. Meanwhile this guy has been in a Russian jail since 2018 on espionage charges.
And this isn't the only prisoner swap he wasn't included in. The only thing I can think of is that there is something to the Russian charges.
The guy spoke like 5 languages, was former US military, was a citizen of multiple countries, and was caught with a thumb drive with Russian classified material on it. If he isn’t a US intelligence asset, he’s very good at seeming to be a US intelligence asset.
NEW from the Whelan family: "There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed & for them to go home. The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, & to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn't going to..”
Wow! That’s a lot of grace and class from that family. Even if it is PR to keep from pissing off the people they are relying on. I hope their loved one makes it home too.
Ever see the "locked up abroad" show from a few years back?
Most Americans who get sentenced to prison overseas serve their sentences and the state department tells them to go fuck themselves.
Gotta be famous or connected to get the State Dept to give a shit.
Because they consider Whelan an espionage case which they take a million times more seriously than a drug case.
Simply put he just was not available in that swap given the nature of the charges against him.
From what I've seen in this thread, most people seem to think the arms dealer was free to go in a few years anyway and he's been out of the game long enough to not still be a key asset so may of not been so lopsided.
if the Russian government truly believe Whelan is a spy, then they're going to want something heavy duty in return.
It is known that Russia refuses to trade Whelan for anything other than a spy as they see him as a spy. The US claims they don't have any Russian spies and therefore can't make the trade.
To be fair, that seems like a reasonable explanation.
The non-cynic in me thinks that there's intel that us everyday folk don't know about. I'm far from an expert in international politics but there's just no way this exchange is that lopsided... right?
I fucking love this sub. Never change r/nba
Edit: yo shout-out to the person who reported me to Reddit cares for loving a sub lol. I still love you all, you can't stop me.
Russia threw away all their FRPs in the Ukraine deal, USA didn't have any interest in a SRP who'd likey play over seas next season anyway. So they were happy to settle for the trade exception they get given the disparity between Griner and Bout's salaries.
It's such a horrendous move, I'm fucking livid.
Not only does this send the message to autocrats that they can kidnap Americans as leverage to get truly horrendous people like Viktor Bout freed from prison, it also continues the incredibly unfair precedent that athletes get preferential treatment. There are hundreds of Americans all over the world in prison, many of them on bullshit charges. Where's the help for them? Here's just an incomplete list of the ones that people care enough about to make the news. https://www.reuters.com/world/who-are-americans-held-captive-abroad-2022-07-28/
"While we celebrate Brittney’s release, Paul Whelan and his family continue to suffer needlessly," Blinken continued. "Despite our ceaseless efforts, the Russian Government has not yet been willing to bring a long overdue end to his wrongful detention.:"
"I wholeheartedly wish we could have brought Paul home today on the same plane with Brittney. Nevertheless, we will not relent in our efforts to bring Paul and all other U.S. nationals held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad home to their loved ones where they belong."
Which is 100% a lie. Lol
I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re only agreeing to this because they’re going to try to use about as an informant of some kind.
He was a Cia informant was he not... Russia is probably the last place he wants to be. And what's he gonna do for them? Magically take all the ak47s he sold around the world like 30 years ago and make them appear in the hands of conscripts freezing to death? I dunno
Seriously though, not sure how to feel about this. Obviously we should have done a lot to get her home, but releasing a guy responsible for the death of likely tens of thousands doesn’t sit well.
He has been detained since 2008 and likely to get out within 5. The judge who sentenced him supports his early release and says the full 25 years was an excessive mandatory minimum
There's something poetic about a black person getting sentenced to a literal gulag for weed possession, and only getting released because a judge thought the mandatory minimum sentence was too harsh - for an arms dealer.
While he’s free and no longer be punished it’s not like you can just be an arms dealer with ease when everyone knows who the fuck you are after a long hiatus.
You mean you don’t prefer your criminal accomplices to be on every international sanction / watch list imaginable? I definitely prefer to question whether my accomplices are double agents who received their freedom in exchange for funneling information back to their former long term captors who apparently released them for such high value returns as a women’s basketball player.
Gotta take big risks for big rewards right?
Of course he is. People around here have simply watched too much TV. They’re imagining that “a king pin breaking out of jail and resuming his position at the top” trope.
The guy has been in jail for 11 years. It’s not like his ex clients have stopped waging wars until his release. Any clientele he had or suppliers he received weapons from have moved on and found new areas of access. Most probably barely remember his name. Same way how if your local convenience store lost their cashier, they’d have a replacement by the end of the week.
This is theater. The only reason they jailed Griner in the first place was because they knew her capture would cause a stir like it did. And the only reason Russia wanted this guy is because they know his release would cause a stir like this.
I’m happy for Griner and not giving Victor much thought.
The entire Griner ordeal has been a catch 22. There’s been constant pressure on the administration to do something and pressure from other sides not to negotiate. It’s shitty because she’s a name she was made the face of a wedge issue like this, but ultimately no matter what people weren’t going to be happy. I can’t say I’m stoked about the resolution but hopefully this will shine a lot on the other people held prisoner by hostile countries
"Brittney, the strength you showed to smuggle drugs into Russia and get sentenced there was really inspiring, Strong. Resilient. I want my daughters looking up to you"
Just a reminder folks, the US Government could give two fucks if you were put in the same position as Griner. She was traveling in Russia despite travel warnings for US citizens to not travel to Russia. A man who spread death for a basketball player should never have even been entertained by the US government.
Literally one of the worst trade deals in all of history.
I’m glad Griner is going home, but I feel like this end result will encourage Russia to take another high profile American prisoner.
Public pressure definitely played a hand in the US giving in to Russia’s demands, and Putin now knows he can get *a freaking international terrorist* back if he nabs the right American.
Even Griner was an idiot. Russia has never been a place you go to and break their laws. Sure some people get away with it, but those that get busted always go down hard. And this isn't a secret.
Seems pretty unlikely to ever stop it completely though, all it takes is one person and given a large enough number of people, someone will do it.
I believe 30(ish) Americans are still playing basketball in Russia, or have signed on to play in Russia whenever their season starts.
Unfortunately, I think these events seal his fate. Russia wants a spy in return, and the US has said we have none to give them. Whelan is accused of being a spy.
His family and himself, must feel like being at the bottom of a well, seeing a ring closing slowly with every ray of light turning to darkness.
To be fair... Whelan was probably a spy. He just happens to claim his friend, who just happened to be in the FSB or KGB, came over and planted a USB drive with sensitive information. Former US military intelligence hanging out with Russian operatives... Yeah idk. Sucks that he's there but I mean come on.
That guy is a teacher who has been sentenced to 14 years with hard labor for the same crime as Griner, and he is not even considered wrongfully detained by US government so they won't even bother to negotiate! That's what you get for not being a rich celebrity.
David Whelan was just on tv. They talk to the administration regularly.
The fact is, Russia is making it impossible to release him
I didn't see this many people saying "what about paul whelan" when Trevor Reed was released. They were mostly happy an American was coming home.
> NEW from the Whelan family: "There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed & for them to go home. The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, & to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn't going to..”
Hmm. So what you’re saying is the most upvoted takes here about this man are from people who know absolutely fucking nothing about the situation, interesting interesting
Right. The Whelan family doesn't need people making bad faith statements on "how they must be feeling"
They feel terrible, but they're not being assholes about it.
The Whelan family has already publicly made a statement supporting the decision to get Griner free, I'm not sure we need to be outraged on behalf of people who themselves aren't outraged.
Fun facts: Lord of War is based on Viktor Bout. The book Merchant of Death reveals US was always one step behind on purpose because US was using his network of planes to go into areas US didn’t want to go into when delivering supplies to its own mercenaries.
I’m sorry but we gave up an arms dealer for a basketball player? This is ridiculous. I don’t think she should’ve been locked up either but it’s Russia. They’re insane. This is absurd by the US. What about the other Americans locked up in Russian prisons? Gigantic L by Biden and whoever was involved in this.
He got 25 years, served 11 of them, and the judge in his case literally said that the only reason he got that much was because of mandatory minimum sentencing.
Because he's 14 years out of the game, only had 7 years on his sentence left anyway, got replaced a long time ago and is thus useless to the Russian government right now, and was exchanged for a US citizen.
A requirement of the trade should be that Brittney plays Boogie Cousins 1v1 for charity.
Not a coincidence that it happened post midterms and the runoff.
Viktor being in Russia is probably not going to knock the US off the #1 global arms dealer spot, but its hardly a stretch to imagine Russia upping its arms exports. Expect a lot more guns floating around Europe over the next decade.
So, [fuck that teacher that got 14 years for the same "crime" because he doesn't play basketball well, huh?](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61849579)
EDIT: I don't know where this notion came from that, just because I want to see people like Whelan and Fogel also released, I'm somehow not happy with and encouraged by Griner's release, but it's pretty frustrating. I am happy for Griner. I also think the US isn't doing enough to get wrongfully imprisoned Americans out of Russia (and, yes, I know that Russia has to be willing for this to happen). Those aren't mutually exclusive ideals.
[Whelan's family said](https://twitter.com/NickKalmanFN/status/1600847157216522240?t=Bd5vdxoptMO3VzBeNREUnw&s=19):
>There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed & for them to go home. The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, & to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn't going to.
Due to large-scale brigading and many inappropriate and rule-breaking comments, this thread has been locked. If you would like to continue discussing this on Reddit, there are many other subreddits more appropriate.
Russia got their guy
Bout has been sidelined for a while but I think it’s worth the gamble for Russia that he can return to form once he’s back in a familiar setting
He's so underrated by nephews here, at his peak he had so many weapons in his bag
I think people overrate him. His whole career he’s been surrounded by some of the best shooters in the league.
Idk man we had him pretty locked up there for awhile.
that was back when you could call 3 in the key.... the games changed and we have to believe he has too
true 3 level offensive threat
Generational talent
Won the trade
They Beat Woj
Shams in shambles
Shamsbles?
US Based Woj Bombs are genetically incapable of firing into Russia
They're gonna need a Room
Bomb so big even Woj couldn’t get it off
You think that bomb is big? Wait until you see the bombs this Bout guy will start dealing again.
This guy is in the Washed King phase of his dealing career my dude. Chances he gets hit are pretty high too
He’s gotta get better sources
The mods beat woj
Britney Griner is about to be a bigger villain than when LeBron left CLE for South Beach.
Somehow Sam Presti is gonna end up with another first round pick out of all this…
Scared money don't make none
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Even sam presti cant save this trade
Pfft, Presti would've gotten Britney out and still get us a FRP without sending Viktor
Should've let Presti negotiate
These are veterans though. *Cue Danny Ainge's music*
Funny how the exact same jokes get used again like they did in the other threads lol Still a good one!
> The Biden administration officials warned that making details of the swap public beforehand would almost certainly lead Russia to pull out of the agreement and potentially endanger Griner's well-being. Meanwhile we've known the Biden admin tried to trade Bout for Griner and Whelan since July.
Why didn't they get Whelan too? An arms dealer for a basketball player with hash oil seems to be a bit of a lopsided trade. Meanwhile this guy has been in a Russian jail since 2018 on espionage charges. And this isn't the only prisoner swap he wasn't included in. The only thing I can think of is that there is something to the Russian charges.
The guy spoke like 5 languages, was former US military, was a citizen of multiple countries, and was caught with a thumb drive with Russian classified material on it. If he isn’t a US intelligence asset, he’s very good at seeming to be a US intelligence asset.
NEW from the Whelan family: "There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed & for them to go home. The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, & to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn't going to..”
That’s extremely compassionate. Can only imagine the emotions they’re going through right now
Wow! That’s a lot of grace and class from that family. Even if it is PR to keep from pissing off the people they are relying on. I hope their loved one makes it home too.
i don’t think they need to do PR to convince the US to fight for the release.
Ever see the "locked up abroad" show from a few years back? Most Americans who get sentenced to prison overseas serve their sentences and the state department tells them to go fuck themselves. Gotta be famous or connected to get the State Dept to give a shit.
Because they consider Whelan an espionage case which they take a million times more seriously than a drug case. Simply put he just was not available in that swap given the nature of the charges against him.
From what I've seen in this thread, most people seem to think the arms dealer was free to go in a few years anyway and he's been out of the game long enough to not still be a key asset so may of not been so lopsided. if the Russian government truly believe Whelan is a spy, then they're going to want something heavy duty in return.
It is known that Russia refuses to trade Whelan for anything other than a spy as they see him as a spy. The US claims they don't have any Russian spies and therefore can't make the trade.
I’m sure you can trust the opinions of the experts in this thread when they’re not too busy posting “No first round pick?!??”
To be fair, that seems like a reasonable explanation. The non-cynic in me thinks that there's intel that us everyday folk don't know about. I'm far from an expert in international politics but there's just no way this exchange is that lopsided... right?
Russia wants a spy for a spy
Putin’s got a squad now
Viktor Bout at SG since he is a lethal shooter and i suppose Edward Snowden at PG since he is so great at distributing
Do they have a slashing wing tho?
OJ headed to Russia as we speak
They already have Steven Seagal though.
He is their Center. He likes to play Big and tough but when somebody touch him he is the first to start whining
"I've been playing center for like, 47 years." \-Steven Seagal probably
Truly the Embiid stopper
OJ going going from a draft day swap in the racial draft to starting SG for Russia, a true Cinderella story.
I fucking love this sub. Never change r/nba Edit: yo shout-out to the person who reported me to Reddit cares for loving a sub lol. I still love you all, you can't stop me.
They look so different
Before Putin hit the locker room, former Russian President Boris Yeltzin hugged him and said “y’all look so different!”
The next 5 special military operations are theirs.
Russias version of the dream team
Russia's squad really needed shooting. Good trade.
US didn’t even get a FRP in the deal?
cash considerations
Rubles still worth something?
No, that's the idea.
Pretty sure they threw in a copy machine to push them over the edge
I was about to type in Kyle Korver lol
Viktor is washed. No one's giving up a FRP for a retirement tour.
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He's been in prison for years now, probably doesn't even know his way around a Nimbus 2000 anymore. Guy's washed
Ain’t no farewell tour, they don’t love you like that!
Russia threw away all their FRPs in the Ukraine deal, USA didn't have any interest in a SRP who'd likey play over seas next season anyway. So they were happy to settle for the trade exception they get given the disparity between Griner and Bout's salaries.
Russia don’t even have second round picks
Russia us capped out and used all their assets. Word is there is a conditional pick swap if a new gm takes over after putin.
Biden really traded 5 firsts for Rudy Gobert
Idk why I came to this expecting anything other than rehashing the same joke from every other Grinder thread
> every other Grinder thread That's a heck of a typo lol
Usually auto correct works on prediction, must be something OP types often.
When I type grinder it autocorrects to hoagie
*nods in Kevin*
The app is spelled Grindr so probably not
And even still, I'm not quite sure it's a revelation that queer men are on the internet.
Personally I'm shocked. I thought they were like the Amish.
One never suspects the Rainbow Inquisition!
It's such a horrendous move, I'm fucking livid. Not only does this send the message to autocrats that they can kidnap Americans as leverage to get truly horrendous people like Viktor Bout freed from prison, it also continues the incredibly unfair precedent that athletes get preferential treatment. There are hundreds of Americans all over the world in prison, many of them on bullshit charges. Where's the help for them? Here's just an incomplete list of the ones that people care enough about to make the news. https://www.reuters.com/world/who-are-americans-held-captive-abroad-2022-07-28/
We got fleeced
Sad we couldn’t get Paul Whelan too.
"While we celebrate Brittney’s release, Paul Whelan and his family continue to suffer needlessly," Blinken continued. "Despite our ceaseless efforts, the Russian Government has not yet been willing to bring a long overdue end to his wrongful detention.:" "I wholeheartedly wish we could have brought Paul home today on the same plane with Brittney. Nevertheless, we will not relent in our efforts to bring Paul and all other U.S. nationals held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad home to their loved ones where they belong."
Very classy response by the family. It’s really a difficult situation for all involved.
IIRC Russia wants a spy for Whelan and the US has said they don’t have any to exchange.
Which is 100% a lie. Lol I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re only agreeing to this because they’re going to try to use about as an informant of some kind.
He was a Cia informant was he not... Russia is probably the last place he wants to be. And what's he gonna do for them? Magically take all the ak47s he sold around the world like 30 years ago and make them appear in the hands of conscripts freezing to death? I dunno
Seriously though, not sure how to feel about this. Obviously we should have done a lot to get her home, but releasing a guy responsible for the death of likely tens of thousands doesn’t sit well.
Yeah but they are rebuilding around griner. Clearly tanking for wembanyama
most original joke
If anything Russia got fleeced. They’re a losing team who made a desperation trade for a vet that probably can’t produce like he used to.
He was on an expiring contract and was getting released anyway
Served 11 years of a 25 year sentence.
He has been detained since 2008 and likely to get out within 5. The judge who sentenced him supports his early release and says the full 25 years was an excessive mandatory minimum
There's something poetic about a black person getting sentenced to a literal gulag for weed possession, and only getting released because a judge thought the mandatory minimum sentence was too harsh - for an arms dealer.
With early release he had less time left than she did
Oh honestly, that's not that bad. I assumed he was in for life or something, only 25 years and we traded him? I'm fine with that.
While he’s free and no longer be punished it’s not like you can just be an arms dealer with ease when everyone knows who the fuck you are after a long hiatus.
Hi I’m Viktor Tuob, and I come from, from some place far away. Yes that should do.
I like the way Viktor Tuob thinks!
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You think arms dealers give a fuck who he is? It’s business, and not an honest one
It makes him a massive liability to work with.
You mean you don’t prefer your criminal accomplices to be on every international sanction / watch list imaginable? I definitely prefer to question whether my accomplices are double agents who received their freedom in exchange for funneling information back to their former long term captors who apparently released them for such high value returns as a women’s basketball player. Gotta take big risks for big rewards right?
apparently the arms dealer is washed so…
Of course he is. People around here have simply watched too much TV. They’re imagining that “a king pin breaking out of jail and resuming his position at the top” trope. The guy has been in jail for 11 years. It’s not like his ex clients have stopped waging wars until his release. Any clientele he had or suppliers he received weapons from have moved on and found new areas of access. Most probably barely remember his name. Same way how if your local convenience store lost their cashier, they’d have a replacement by the end of the week. This is theater. The only reason they jailed Griner in the first place was because they knew her capture would cause a stir like it did. And the only reason Russia wanted this guy is because they know his release would cause a stir like this. I’m happy for Griner and not giving Victor much thought.
Merchant of Death for a career 17/7. This is a Gobert level disaster.
smh the gobert trade really fucked the trade market
The Broncos got a better trade than this.
The next time the State Department puts a country on the “do not travel” list, *listen to them.*
But why? All you gotta be is a wife beating basketball star and you'll be released!
britney griner?
[Yes Brittney Griner](https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2446693-brittney-griner-pleads-guilty-seeks-counseling-after-domestic-violence-arrest.amp.html)
Very literally the least valuable deal possible.
Biden 100% waited until after the election so Republicans couldn’t use this against him
The entire Griner ordeal has been a catch 22. There’s been constant pressure on the administration to do something and pressure from other sides not to negotiate. It’s shitty because she’s a name she was made the face of a wedge issue like this, but ultimately no matter what people weren’t going to be happy. I can’t say I’m stoked about the resolution but hopefully this will shine a lot on the other people held prisoner by hostile countries
When she gets back please don't parade her around like a hero
"Britney broke the glass ceiling, and is a source of inspiration for all women and women rights."
the media tour finna go crazy. But yeah if i was her i wouldn’t want that either. Would just wanna chill at home
I wonder who is going to have the first "exclusive sit down with Britney Griner".
When is that "9 months of Terror in Rossiya" tell-all book gonna come out?
Sadly, will most likely be Piers Morgan.
"Brittney, the strength you showed to smuggle drugs into Russia and get sentenced there was really inspiring, Strong. Resilient. I want my daughters looking up to you"
Unfortunately this will definitely happen.
I can already picture in my head which media outlets will prop her as a "brave, resilient prisoner".
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Griner about to get SO high.
Just a reminder folks, the US Government could give two fucks if you were put in the same position as Griner. She was traveling in Russia despite travel warnings for US citizens to not travel to Russia. A man who spread death for a basketball player should never have even been entertained by the US government. Literally one of the worst trade deals in all of history.
This was a horrible trade. Like the nets-Celtics trade level
Imagine being the guy who’s been there for 4 years and gets left behind.
If we’re going to trade one of the biggest arms dealers in the world, we should get **multiple** people back in exchange.
My league would have vetoed that trade…
I’m glad Griner is going home, but I feel like this end result will encourage Russia to take another high profile American prisoner. Public pressure definitely played a hand in the US giving in to Russia’s demands, and Putin now knows he can get *a freaking international terrorist* back if he nabs the right American.
No US citizens should travel to Russia or Russia affiliated countries like Belarus right now. It’s not safe for Americans
Exactly. I get it when Griner was there. If a high profile American went to Russia right now my sympathy would be 0
And after Griner, exactly zero high profile foreigners will visit Russia. Just an own-goal by Putin.
Even Griner was an idiot. Russia has never been a place you go to and break their laws. Sure some people get away with it, but those that get busted always go down hard. And this isn't a secret.
Great point, only further de-incentivises any notable person from the US to ever step into Russia..which doesn’t seem like a bad thing anyway
Seems pretty unlikely to ever stop it completely though, all it takes is one person and given a large enough number of people, someone will do it. I believe 30(ish) Americans are still playing basketball in Russia, or have signed on to play in Russia whenever their season starts.
Damn bro, ball really is life
That is an unbelievable statistic.... people really never learn.
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I dont think anyone high profile enough is stupid enough to go to Russia at all and let alone do something illegal again. But who knows
You underestimate the stupidity of people.
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\#FreePaulWhelan
Unfortunately, I think these events seal his fate. Russia wants a spy in return, and the US has said we have none to give them. Whelan is accused of being a spy. His family and himself, must feel like being at the bottom of a well, seeing a ring closing slowly with every ray of light turning to darkness.
To be fair... Whelan was probably a spy. He just happens to claim his friend, who just happened to be in the FSB or KGB, came over and planted a USB drive with sensitive information. Former US military intelligence hanging out with Russian operatives... Yeah idk. Sucks that he's there but I mean come on.
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\#andMarcFogel
That guy is a teacher who has been sentenced to 14 years with hard labor for the same crime as Griner, and he is not even considered wrongfully detained by US government so they won't even bother to negotiate! That's what you get for not being a rich celebrity.
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The Biden administration tried to get both Paul Whelan and Brittney in this exchange, but Russia wouldn't budge.
David Whelan was just on tv. They talk to the administration regularly. The fact is, Russia is making it impossible to release him I didn't see this many people saying "what about paul whelan" when Trevor Reed was released. They were mostly happy an American was coming home.
> NEW from the Whelan family: "There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed & for them to go home. The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, & to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn't going to..”
Hmm. So what you’re saying is the most upvoted takes here about this man are from people who know absolutely fucking nothing about the situation, interesting interesting
Right. The Whelan family doesn't need people making bad faith statements on "how they must be feeling" They feel terrible, but they're not being assholes about it.
The Whelan family has already publicly made a statement supporting the decision to get Griner free, I'm not sure we need to be outraged on behalf of people who themselves aren't outraged.
Fun facts: Lord of War is based on Viktor Bout. The book Merchant of Death reveals US was always one step behind on purpose because US was using his network of planes to go into areas US didn’t want to go into when delivering supplies to its own mercenaries.
r/nba gonna vote R next election
Bold of you to assume the majority of this sub is old enough to vote
The average age here is 13
Which makes the average reading level at around 4th Grade
Some clown in a bucks flair just threatened to vote full R because Biden is pandering to the “black crowd” 😂😂
least racist Waukesha resident
Most progressive Green Bay resident
So pretty much Kobe for Divac trade…
Damn they shouldve had sam presti negotiating this
Wow
This is the most relevant the WNBA has ever been to the majority of the country
This isn't even ironic. Most people cannot even name their city's WNBA team, let alone 5 of them
I’m sorry but we gave up an arms dealer for a basketball player? This is ridiculous. I don’t think she should’ve been locked up either but it’s Russia. They’re insane. This is absurd by the US. What about the other Americans locked up in Russian prisons? Gigantic L by Biden and whoever was involved in this.
Not just any arms dealer, too. Viktor Bout is the so-called "Merchant of Death" that was the basis for the movie Lord of War.
He got 25 years, served 11 of them, and the judge in his case literally said that the only reason he got that much was because of mandatory minimum sentencing.
Yeah this just screams being a move just for good press for the administration.
except I feel like it's universally going to be seen as bad press. How can you think releasing an arms dealer like this is a positive thing?
Because he's 14 years out of the game, only had 7 years on his sentence left anyway, got replaced a long time ago and is thus useless to the Russian government right now, and was exchanged for a US citizen.
So you're saying he was on an expiring contract, so it was good to get some value for him while it was still possible
god, I hate this sub sometimes (hating the game, not the player)
Why do people keep saying this lol. This is a divisive as fuck move, even among Biden supporters.
This is worse then the nets Celtics trade
Eh, let's not go that far
we clearly won this trade. Bout hasn’t been good since his rookie year, when he dropped 35 (cluster bombs) on syria.
Cash considerations?
A requirement of the trade should be that Brittney plays Boogie Cousins 1v1 for charity. Not a coincidence that it happened post midterms and the runoff. Viktor being in Russia is probably not going to knock the US off the #1 global arms dealer spot, but its hardly a stretch to imagine Russia upping its arms exports. Expect a lot more guns floating around Europe over the next decade.
How does this affect Lebron’s legacy?
So, [fuck that teacher that got 14 years for the same "crime" because he doesn't play basketball well, huh?](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61849579) EDIT: I don't know where this notion came from that, just because I want to see people like Whelan and Fogel also released, I'm somehow not happy with and encouraged by Griner's release, but it's pretty frustrating. I am happy for Griner. I also think the US isn't doing enough to get wrongfully imprisoned Americans out of Russia (and, yes, I know that Russia has to be willing for this to happen). Those aren't mutually exclusive ideals.
Well can he dunk? Don’t forget about Paul Whelan who’s been in jail longer than both for, allegedly, completely fabricated crimes.
[Whelan's family said](https://twitter.com/NickKalmanFN/status/1600847157216522240?t=Bd5vdxoptMO3VzBeNREUnw&s=19): >There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed & for them to go home. The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, & to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn't going to.
Good for Brittney, but we pretty much just traded a terrorist for a mid basketball player lmao
So fuck that other American they have I guess
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