It’s clear the NBA’s biggest superstar was not happy with how the past week went.
LeBron James, who has just returned to the US after two games in China, in Shanghai and Shenzhen, spoke to the media in a pregame interview before he was set to play the Golden State Warriors in a preseason match.
He was asked about the controversy between the NBA and China which started more than a week ago when Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted his support for protesters in Hong Kong, who have staged anti-government demonstrations for four months.
Morey quickly deleted his tweet, offered an apology and the NBA initially called the tweet “regrettable”. However, NBA commissioner Adam Silver did an about-face and then backed Morey’s right to “freedom of expression” as an employee of the league with two separate statements. James said he was not happy with Morey’s tweet when asked on Monday night before taking the court.
“I don’t want to get into a word or sentence feud with Daryl. But I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand and he spoke and so many people could have been harmed, not only financially, but physically, emotionally, spiritually. So just be careful what we tweet and what we say and what we do even though, yes, we do have freedom of speech but there can come a lot of negative things with that.”
James also stated said he’s “not sure” how the league handled the whole crisis, but didn’t want to judge the league’s reaction, which included shutting down all media availability to players in China after the Chinese government cancelled a number of events in Shanghai.
A Sports Illustrated report said Silver met players in China and many showed frustration about the situation and how it was handled. James also apparently held a players-only meeting on the subject.
James, who received swift backlash on social media for calling out Morey’s initial tweet, then clarified his position on Twitter: “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.
“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.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang's also touched on the entire issue when asked during a press conference yesterday in Beijing. He was asked by a reporter about Tencent returning to broadcasting NBA preseason games and if the Chinese government supported this move.
“I believe you are aware that we generally do not comment on the business behaviors of companies. I'd refer you to the company if you are interested in this matter. Sports exchange has played a positive role in China-US relations and friendship. In the meantime, as I said before, an important prerequisite for exchange and cooperation is mutual respect. It is true in China, in the US and everywhere else.”
Rockets superstar James Harden was also recently asked about the controversy after returning home from Japan, but said he “wanted nothing to do with it” now.