NBA superstarLeBron Jameswas skewered Monday night after he criticized as “misinformed” a general manager’s tweet supporting Hong Kong’s ongoing pro-democracy protests – and then doubled down in a damage-control tweet, saying the online show of support for the embattled demonstrators “could have waited a week.”
James, who’s considered one of the more outspoken athletes onsocial justice issuesin a league that prides itself on being one of the most progressive in sports, was uncharacteristically deferential to NBA and Chinese leadership in his remarks about Houston Rockets GMDaryl Morey‘s tweet of a slogan – “Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong” – expressing support for those marching in Hong Kong.
The single tweet from Morey’s personal account was soon deleted, but not before spurring a rebuke from some within the NBA and inciting a backlash in China. Authorities in the communist country last week canceled publicity events and news conferences and banned the broadcast last week of an exhibition game between the Brooklyn Nets and James’ Los Angeles Lakers.
“I’m not here to judge how the league handled the situation, “the perennial All-Star told reporters in Los Angeles on Monday night.” I just think that, when you’re misinformed or you’re not educated about something – and I’m just talking about the tweet itself – you never know the ramifications that can happen. We all see what that did, not only did for our league but for all of us in America, for people in China as well. Sometimes you have to think through the things that you say that may cause harm not only for yourself but for the majority of people. I think that’s just a prime example of that. ”
James’ take was swiftly denounced across the board on social media, prompting him to take to Twitter in a bid to stem the mounting criticism. He stressed that his assessment had nothing to do with the “substance” of Morey’s tweet and solely focused on the timing of the post.
“My team and this league just went through a difficult week , “James wrote. “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.”
But his attempt to mitigate any negative reaction was also met with disapproval, with some critics lambasting his description of “a difficult week” by noting the hardships protesters are confronting in their fight to keep autonomous Hong Kong free from Beijing’s grip.
“Having just been in Hong Kong – on the streets & with the protestors – this kind of garbage is hard to take,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Ms., Tweeted. “LeBron, are YOU educated on ‘the situation’? Why don’t you go to Hong Kong? Why don’t you meet the people there risking their lives for their most basic liberties.”
Hawley added: “This statement is unbelievable. ‘So many people could have been harmed’? By Daryl Morey daring to express sympathy for democracy? News flash: people are being harmed – shot, beaten, gassed – right now in Hong Kong By China. By the Communist Party the NBA is so eager to appease. “
Dan Wolken, a writer for USA Today,wrote a columncalling the episode the most “disgraceful moment” of James’ career.
“If only Morey had done what you did Monday, LeBron, and tacitly admit that the only thing that really matters is your ability to sell shoes and market ‘Space Jam 2’ in a country of 1.4 billion, we could have had an intellectually honest discussion about doing business in China and the cost of free speech in a country where only propaganda is tolerated, ”
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Other social media users posted videos of the violent protests in the city and called out the superstar for what they saw as James’ self-serving attempt to not offend the lucrative Chinese market.
“No more King James, Chairman James from now on,” one user wrote.
Fox News’ Edmund DeMarche contributed to this report.
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