The NBA & China Continue to Butt Heads

The NBA is under heavy scrutiny from Chinese officials after a political tweet from Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey.

The Houston Rockets have had a huge Chinese fan base since the Yao Ming era. During the weekend, that relationship has had a fallout following a picture posted by Daryl Morey that was in support of the Hong Kong protesters, which has been followed by a ban of the team in the country.

Owner of the Houston Rockets Tilman Fertitta responded quickly to try and separate the team from any political affiliation, but that didn’t work out the way he hoped.

In the statement from the Chinese Consulate General Spokesperson its stated that the Chinese government will keep the Rockets banned in the country until they see action taken.

Things didn’t stop there.

Fertitta was asked about his current status with Morey.

Tilman Fertitta to ESPN: “I have the best general manager in the league. Everything is fine with Daryl and me. We got a huge backlash, and I wanted to make clear that [the organization] has no [political] position. We’re here to play basketball and not to offend anybody.” https://t.co/tS15GIOpMh

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 5, 2019

Daryl Morey issued an apology on Twitter that Sunday night.

1/ I did not intend my tweet to cause any offense to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China. I was merely voicing one thought, based on one interpretation, of one complicated event. I have had a lot of opportunity since that tweet to hear and consider other perspectives.

— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) October 7, 2019

2/ I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors have provided and I would hope that those who are upset will know that offending or misunderstanding them was not my intention. My tweets are my own and in no way represent the Rockets or the NBA.

— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) October 7, 2019

Shams Charania reports the NBA will not be taking action against Morey.

NBA is not disciplining Rockets GM Daryl Morey for his social media post, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Morey also issued apology tonight. https://t.co/aMUXLIubwy

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 7, 2019

Later on, LeBron James chimed in on the situation with China, and afterwards took an incredible amount of heat for his comments and tweet.

“I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand, and he spoke. And so many people could have been harmed.” “My team and this league just went through a difficult week.”

The King seemed to be playing things neutral, but many felt he appeared to be afraid to take a stand that mattered. A stand for free speech and against persecution, but played things safe because he didn’t want his pockets to take a hit.

Adam Silver weighed in on the situation today.

After being asked by the Chinese government to fire Daryl Morey, Adam Silver responded:

We were being asked to fire Daryl Morey by the Chinese government. We said there’s no chance that’s happening. There’s no chance we’ll even discipline him.

*mic drop*