LeBron James called Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey uneducated and went off at-length about the “negative” side-effects of free speech, in reaction to Morey’s tweet of support to pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong.
On October 4th, Morey tweeted a message of support of Hong Kong’s demonstrators, saying: “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong.”
That message touched off a firestorm of controversy as China canceled minor league exhibition games and canceled numerous business deals with the Rockets, and the NBA. On Monday, Lakers forward LeBron James spoke publicly about the incident for the first time, and didn’t mince words while calling Morey out for a tweet that he says could have caused people to be physically “harmed.”
Duke Law’s alleged race-based admissions accused of defying Supreme Court ruling: DOJ
US Army offering defense firms ‘concierge access’ to test weapons at military ranges
Blanche Appears Poised for AG Confirmation as GOP Senator Announces Support
10 Democrats and Rand Paul oppose Russia sanctions bill
Democrats Furious as Trump Signs Two Executive Orders to End Birth Tourism
Maryland’s lone congressional Republican blasts Moore’s redistricting push as alleged 2028 White House play
Fraternal Order of Police slams vulnerable House Democrat for using logo in constituent mail
Woman Sues Yankees for $10 Million After Scary Incident at Game
Counterterrorism expert warns Abdul El-Sayed Senate bid raises homeland security concerns
Don Lemon moves to dismiss case over Minnesota church protest on selective and vindictive prosecution claims
Humiliation for Ireland: Famously Anti-Israel State’s New ‘Air Force One’ Can’t Always Land Safely After They Banned Jewish State’s Technology
Nancy Guthrie investigators see uptick in tips after ransom notes release: Sheriff
Alex Murdaugh demands new evidence search in hunt for cracks in case
Blanche’s Attorney General Confirmation Hanging in the Balance After 2nd Republican Announces Opposition
Mother of Slain Citadel Cadet Speaks Out After Repeat Criminal Is Arrested for His Murder
LeBron says he believes Rockets GM Daryl Morey wasn’t educated when he spoke about Hong Kong and that his tweet could have hurt a lot of people, including financially pic.twitter.com/UMj71DPQH7
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 15, 2019
The NBA received tremendous bipartisan criticism for their initial response to Morey’s tweet, when they responded by calling the post “regrettable” for the offense that it caused. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver eventually tried to quell the backlash by championing Morey’s free speech rights.
Duke Law’s alleged race-based admissions accused of defying Supreme Court ruling: DOJ
US Army offering defense firms ‘concierge access’ to test weapons at military ranges
Blanche Appears Poised for AG Confirmation as GOP Senator Announces Support
10 Democrats and Rand Paul oppose Russia sanctions bill
Democrats Furious as Trump Signs Two Executive Orders to End Birth Tourism
Maryland’s lone congressional Republican blasts Moore’s redistricting push as alleged 2028 White House play
Fraternal Order of Police slams vulnerable House Democrat for using logo in constituent mail
Woman Sues Yankees for $10 Million After Scary Incident at Game
Counterterrorism expert warns Abdul El-Sayed Senate bid raises homeland security concerns
Don Lemon moves to dismiss case over Minnesota church protest on selective and vindictive prosecution claims
Humiliation for Ireland: Famously Anti-Israel State’s New ‘Air Force One’ Can’t Always Land Safely After They Banned Jewish State’s Technology
Nancy Guthrie investigators see uptick in tips after ransom notes release: Sheriff
Alex Murdaugh demands new evidence search in hunt for cracks in case
Blanche’s Attorney General Confirmation Hanging in the Balance After 2nd Republican Announces Opposition
Mother of Slain Citadel Cadet Speaks Out After Repeat Criminal Is Arrested for His Murder
Now, with the league representatives and players back from their tumultuous trip to China, it seemed like the news cycle of the NBA-China rift had died down. However, with James denouncing free speech in even stronger terms than the NBA did while calling a pro-democracy tweet “uneducated,” it’s difficult to see the crisis going away.
It’s also difficult to see why James would so willingly and unnecessarily reignite the controversy.
Then again, perhaps it makes sense after all. James is still the best and most popular player in the league. Moreover, for nearly ten years he’s championed numerous social justice causes and launched numerous attacks against President Trump, all to the delight of the sports media.
Maybe he’s become so used to being applauded for speaking his mind, that he no longer recognizes when he shouldn’t?
Story cited here.
