LeBron James spoke out about the tweets Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted in support of the pro-democracy protesters, and now everyone hates King James. More inside...
Everybody's down LeBron James' throat for comments he made in response to a tweet Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey put up. The Rockets GM posted a meme in support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. That tweet caused a lot of backlash.
The Chinese Consulate in Houston denounced him, the Chinese Basketball Association announced they were suspending all cooperation with the Rockets, and Daryl was made to apologize. The NBA then issued a statement, dubbing his tweet “regrettable” and made it clear that his support of the protestors “does not represent the Rockets or the NBA.” Not only that, it’s rumored the Rockets are considering firing Morey in an effort to appease the Chinese.
While all of this was going down, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were in China. He stayed mum about the tweet for a week but offered up a response after their preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on Monday (which he sat out).
“I think when we all sit back and learn from the situation that happened, understand that what you could tweet or could say (could affect people),” James said. “We all talk about this freedom of speech. Yes, we all do have freedom of speech, 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 word or sentence feud with Daryl Morey, 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 be a lot of negative that comes with that too.”
Check it:
Lakers’ LeBron James on NBA’s China controversy: “I don’t want to get into a ... feud with Daryl Morey but I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand and he spoke.” pic.twitter.com/KKrMNU0dKR
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) October 15, 2019
His comments sent conservative Twitter into a frenzy.
The @NBA had a tough week?
The million+ Uyghurs Communist China has in re-education camps had a tough week. The people of HK fighting for human rights & autonomy had a tough week.
You’re right, @KingJames. People need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. https://t.co/pCIQ305rf4
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 15, 2019
The Hong Kong protestors were outraged as well – burning LeBron James’ jerseys and all:
People have been calling King James a sellout, who appeared to support China rather than pro-democracy demonstrators. As you know, LeBron has a deal with Nike and the sneaker giant has close ties with China where much of their products are made.
However, that’s not the case, according to the four-time MVP.
King James hopped on Twitter to clarify what he meant. He basically was saying while we all have the right to freedom of speech, we should be mindful of the consequences – especially when it could cause physical harm to the teams and players who were in China when he posted the tweet. He wasn’t commenting on China or Hong Kong.
“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,” he tweeted.
”My team and this league just went through a difficult week,” he continued in another tweet. “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.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
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
By the way, Nike has not addressed the situation.
It's interesting to see everyone get up in arms whenever King James speaks on anything outside of basketball - especially politics. And if he hasn't proven to you that he always stands with and supports "the people," then you haven't been paying attention.
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Photo: Getty
source: theybf
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