By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a series of heated posts on X, Anadolu Efes star Shane Larkin fired back at Turkish basketball legend Ibrahim Kutluay following sharp criticism regarding his absence from the Turkish national team’s FIBA window call-ups and recent club duties.
The dispute ignited after Kutluay questioned Larkin’s character and leadership, claiming that Larkin’s refusal to play in the 2026 Ziraat Bankasi Turkiye Kupasi, despite being cleared by the club, proved he was a poor leader. “If your leader is Larkin, forget about high goals,” mentioned 51-year-old Kutluay.
Larkin, who has been sidelined since mid-November and underwent groin surgery in December, called the comments “pathetic” and “clickbait.” The 33-year-old combo guard explained that his presence with the team was intended as moral support, but was ultimately twisted into a narrative of defiance.
“This is exactly why I should’ve never been on the roster for the cup,” Larkin wrote. “Because I am not healthy enough to play, and trying to be there for the team can be misunderstood as me not wanting to play.”
The naturalized Turkish international, who helped lead Turkiye to a silver medal at EuroBasket 2025, expressed deep frustration over the questioning of his commitment. He emphasized that he has consistently played through pain and put his body on the line for both his club and the national team.
“An attack on my character is never something I’ll allow,” Larkin stressed. He further characterized Kutluay’s timing as opportunistic, noting that critics are often silent during his successes but “the loudest in the room” during moments of physical vulnerability.
Larkin also highlighted the “low gesture” of attacking an athlete still recovering from a surgical procedure. He asserted that the reality of the situation, wanting to be near his teammates without risking long-term health, is well understood by Efes, even if external pundits choose to create a negative perception for engagement.