NBATV
The NBA China controversy seems to be getting uglier by the day.
For the past week, the NBA has faced a firestorm from China after Daryl Morey posted a tweet supporting protestors in Hong Kong.
Morey deleted the tweet and released a statement showing regret that people in China were angered by his solidarity with Hong Kong while Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta distanced himself from his GM and Rockets star James Harden apologized for Morey’s comments.
Listen….@dmorey does NOT speak for the @HoustonRockets. Our presence in Tokyo is all about the promotion of the @NBA internationally and we are NOT a political organization. @espn https://t.co/yNyQFtwTTi
— Tilman Fertitta (@TilmanJFertitta) October 5, 2019
James Harden's apology to China.
“We apologize. We love China. We love playing there…We appreciate them as a fanbase. We love everything there about them and we appreciate the support that they give us individually and as an organization. We love you."
Via @CGTNOfficial pic.twitter.com/MJxbXvA0ft
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 7, 2019
NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement backing Morey and made it clear the NBA would not censor what players or executives could talk about with regards to politics.
Early this morning after the Rockets game against the Raptors in Japan, CNN journalist Christina Macfarlane asked James Harden and Russell Westbrook if they would refrain from talking about politics in the future and she was quickly shut down by a rep from the Houston Rockets who instructed security to take the microphone away from her.
Journalist gets quickly shut down when she asked James Harden, Russell Westbrook if they would refrain from speaking out on politics/social justice after China debacle… pic.twitter.com/VkXSWo0N0s
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 10, 2019
Update the NBA has apologized to the reporter for the Houston Rockets team rep trying to prevent her from having her question answered.
The NBA has apologized to @chrissymacCNN for the @HoustonRockets team rep “inappropriately” interjecting and trying to prevent her from getting an answer to her question. (Via @richarddeitsch) pic.twitter.com/XvayGSFtw7
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 10, 2019
NBA fans were furious with the whole situation was handled.
Two great American athletes sitting with their heads down like shamed schoolboys while a western journalist has her microphone taken away. This is only going to get worse. https://t.co/N2S2VGTDCC
— Gary Whitta (inactive) (@garywhitta) October 10, 2019
The NBA's, Nike's, and the NFL's new ad campaign… pic.twitter.com/JF0WaxcIvM
— Warner Todd Huston (@warnerthuston) October 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/erod_05/status/1182293435471974401
Russ busy checking his bank account…
— depression szn (@randyslade) October 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/EricaJ95938316/status/1182305491231207429