China’s Issue With The NBA Continues To Linger
October 9, 2019
The ongoing problem between the NBA and China is one that appears to not be settling down anytime soon, with more and more developments occurring every day.
Since Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey sent out a tweet last Friday in support of Hong Kong, a number of sponsors have suspended work with the franchise, and mixed messages being delivered from the league have done little to ease the tension.
Initially the NBA distanced themselves from Morey’s comments, however commissioner Adam Silver yesterday backed Morey’s right to speak his mind and have freedom of expression.
Chinese State television yesterday announced they would not be showing this week’s NBA pre-season games between the LA Lakers and Brooklyn Nets, with the first game set to take place on Thursday in Shanghai, something Silver described as ‘unfortunate’.
The NBA’s commissioner told a press conference: “It’s not something we expected to happen. It’s unfortunate. But if that’s the consequences of us adhering to our values, we still feel it’s critically important to adhere to those values.
“It’s my hope when I’m in Shanghai, I can meet with the appropriate officials and discuss where we stand and can put those remarks from Daryl Morey in an appropriate context,” Silver added, who visits the city for the game this week.
Just like with the Nets yesterday, the Lakers have now had their NBA Cares event canceled here in Shanghai today. The event was supposed to benefit Special Olympics.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 9, 2019
Both NBA sides have now had their NBA Cares events cancelled in the city over the past 48 hours, with the Lakers event supposed to take place on Wednesday falling victim to the fallout, something that was intended to benefit the Special Olympics, according to ESPN’s Rachel Nichols.
One thing that seems to be certain is that this issue has the potential to run and run, with no immediate conclusion on the horizon…
