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NBA superstar LeBron James called out Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey and a tweet he shared about supporting the Hong Kong protestors.
In an interview the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Golden State Warriors, BizPac Review reports James said the tweet was “uneducated” and “misinformed.”
“We all talk about this ‘freedom of speech.’ Yes, we all do have freedom of speech,” LeBron told a group of reporters. “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 don’t want to get into a feud with Daryl Morey, but I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand when he spoke.”
James later clarified that he was not intending to say Morey’s position on the Hong Kong protestors was “uneducated” but his decision to tweet about it was.
In a pair of tweets, James said “others can talk about that [the merits of the Hong Kong protests].”
My team and this league just went through a difficult week. I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
Let me clear up the confusion. I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet. I’m not discussing the substance. Others can talk About that.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
It should be noted that, while James refused to criticize the Chinese government’s brutal regime, he has regularly taken divisive positions in American politics.
James supported former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and others who kneeled during the National Anthem, he campaigned alongside former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and he routinely criticizes President Trump.
LeBron James: NBA exec is ‘uneducated’ for supporting Hong Kong protesters over China https://t.co/kvTqETEyQM pic.twitter.com/XLRPtJ0Mav
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) October 15, 2019
BizPac Review adds:
As BizPacReview reported, the Chinese government became enraged by Daryl Morey’s tweet, so Chinese businesses pulled their NBA sponsorships. In addition, Chinese broadcasters and streaming platforms threatened to stop airing NBA games.
The NBA reacted by issuing a groveling apology to China and disavowing Morey’s statement. NBA stars have since refused to condemn China’s brutal regime for fear of losing more sponsorships.
The irony of LeBron siding with an oppressive, authoritarian regime is especially ridiculous since he trashed President Trump as authoritarian and called his supporters uneducated.
What's hilarious is how seriously people took LeBron campaigning for Hillary Clinton, but now he says he's not even "informed" enough to call China out.
Cowards, all of them. pic.twitter.com/yZ2b1oSHWy
— Caleb SkHull 💀🎃👻 (@CalebJHull) October 15, 2019
BBC reports James’ refusal to condemn the Chinese government could be a result of his strong financial ties to the country:
Chinese officials and media responded with outrage to Morey’s original tweet, which referred to months of pro-democracy protests that have consumed Hong Kong, a territory that is part of China but enjoys unique freedoms.
The NBA – which is hugely popular in China – has struggled to respond to the situation, with some Chinese partners suspending relations with the league by cancelling broadcasts and sponsorships.
James has significant financial interests in China, through his lifetime endorsement deal with Nike and via millions of fans.
