NBA star Lebron James has criticized Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey for tweeting in support of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters.
“We all talk about this freedom of speech, yes, we all do have freedom of speech,” James told reporters before his game Monday night. “But at times, there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you’re not thinking about others and you’re only thinking about yourself.”
“I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand,” James continued. “So many people could have been harmed” by Morey’s comments.
More had tweeted on October 4, “Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.”
Morey removed his tweet and apologized to Chinese fans, but the Chinese Basketball Association had already moved to cut ties with the Rockets. Merchandise featuring the Rockets logo and in some cases general NBA products were removed from sportswear stores in major Chinese cities after the incident.
NBA officials who tried to assuage the Chinese were pilloried by U.S. elected officials, who accused the NBA of kowtowing to China.
China is the NBA’s largest market after the U.S. The Lakers and Nets recently played two exhibition games in China, but they were cut from television viewing following the controversy.
Read More
Zachary Evans
National Review
