The majority of mainland Chinese people oppose the Hong Kong protests. Saying otherwise is just Americans fulfilling their own fantasy. Just like when Americans fantasized before the Iraq war; take out Saddam and Iraq would turn into a peaceful western-loving democratic country. Of course ignorance of language, culture, and religion led to a completely different result. In case you are too angry with what I wrote, my point isn't that you are wrong or they are right. My point is your intended audience does not always think like you.
Speaking of freedom, human rights and universal values that should transcend economics and law, just recently one of your own, Mrs. Anne Sacoolas, killed a British motorcyclist by driving on the wrong side of the road. She is a US diplomat, and the United States refused to waive that immunity to allow the British police to investigate. She is currently back in the United States. You can go on youtube and see the young victim's grieving parents and pleas for justice. I expect you Americans to promptly urge your representatives and/or spew the same level of moral outrage as you have towards China. After all, this is caused by your own country, so your prospects of affecting the outcome is much greater than that of changing Hong Kong. Of course seeing the historical record of America when it comes to itself, one can only expect hypocrisy and disappointment. Prove me wrong.
8
In my opinion, the NBA is getting what they deserve. The NBA has taken billions out of China while looking the other way. At this same time they have been super critical and sometimes disrespectful of the USA.
What a bunch of hypocrites!
They've lost me and my family as customers for good.
2
When in Rome, you do what the Romans do. You don't sell beef to Indians or pork to Muslims, why would you think its okay to offend your clients in China by supporting HK separatists? Morey has every right to express his opinion, the Chinese also have their rights not to advertise on or watch Rockets game. Since when offending your business clients become a right thing to do now?
6
Does anyone in NBA have any shame left?
2
I just finished watching a 2016 film called "Race" about the life of Jesses Owens, the Black American sprinter who set world records and won 4 track medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, deeply unsettling the Nazis who proclaimed Blacks as inferior beings.
Owens was pressured by some to goto Berlin to stick it to Hitler. others, including the NAACP and significant sections of protesters asked him not to legitimize the Gamers by going.
In the end, Owens just stated, "I'm a runner, I run races to win."
The Rockets General Manager had no business taking political sides in what is going on in Hong Kong. It was an incredibly stupid move on his part.
But more important than the business question is the ethical question. If the man stands on the side of the radicals in Hong Kong, then maybe he should demand that the NBA should pull out fo China or he should get out of his job and go put on a mask and bounce metals rods of the heads of cops.
Incredible stupidity and hypocrisy.
1
Most Americans want Colin Kaepernick shut (or stand) up and play ball, but also want Moreys keep talking. Let's enjoy our new false equivalency vs hypocrisy debate.
2
There hasn't been an acknowledged white superstar since Larry Bird, and to a lesser degree Steve Kerr, we're talking the 80's. In a league is rightfully dominated by superstars who are black, while we're debating slave reparations, for the NBA not to in any way shape or form support the protesters in Hong Kong, China be damned, is an atrocity. As a Celtics fan I was really looking forward to what might transpire this season, now I do so with reticence. I feel like the NBA owners should just put on the MAGA hats and have their mega millionaire owners just admit that they want Lebron to shine their shoes.
1
Don't mess with Texas? Ha! Don't mess with China! If you live long enough you see a lot of strange things. In this case, the All-American NBA siding with Communist China. I have long since come to expect cowardice in congress. Is it now spreading throughout our society?
1
Will NBA players take a knee during preseason games in China to show support towards HK demoracy ... that would really show the world .. IF NFL can do it against Trump , NBA should up the ante and do it against Chinas HK oppression and oppression of Muslim minorites..
1
Hong Kong’s former Court of Final Appeal judge Henry Litton recently expressed his opinion on the riots in Hong Kong. He basically said the core of HK’s problems lies in the deep rooted income equality. He hinted slogans and rhetoric (like “Fight for democracy!”) are not going to help people of Hong Kong.
https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/henry-litton-qc-ex-hk-top-judge-looks-into-the-post-one-country-two-systems-era-in-27-years-from-now/
3
So, “little” Rubio, and “lying” ted, as Trump called them in the last election, suddenly found some spine to have some morals?!
It’s so laughable!!!
They’ve been quiet while Trump was abusing his office, and suddenly they’re so concerned about something!!
Aren’t politicians amazing??!!
1
What gutless cowards there are who will sell their souls for a dollar. America is a land of shame and embarrassment. Money buys everything but character and courage.
3
Not that I watched the NBA much to begin with, but I will never watch an NBA game again since money is apparently more important to it than free speech.
2
I think that American Capitalism envy's the totalitarian
capitalism of China and would love to be able to pay
American workers $2 an hour to make basketball shoes and
i phones. Corporate America has the money and the
political power to make it happen. Profits "trump"
democracy and human rights.
5
Dear Mr Victor,
I look forward to your follow-up interview with James Harden regarding just what it is that he loves about China. Is it what they have done to Tibet and the Dalai Lama? Is it their progressive treatment of racial and religious minorities? Perhaps he admires their heavy handed censorship.
Should be enlightening!
2
And yet, citizens of this country who play professional sports and choose to "take a knee" during the national anthem in protest of the treatment of blacks in our society...are scorned, financially penalized, and "forbidden" to do so by their coaches and/or owners?
In this game we are playing today...are we China or Hong Kong? Who are we again?
Seems like we all need to reconnect with our true values, speak up and stand up for them...and then sit down, shut up, and really listen to others so we can engage in civilized discourse and forge a path to restore mutual respect and working in community.
1
The only losers to all of this are people that love basketball and people that want to bring more basketball to China.
Morey makes $2 million dollar a year.
Your rockets employee that did business development deals with China probably make $50,000 / year.
You can be upset about this, but the result of this like everything else is that people that had nothing to do with this and had no political opinion are the ones that are hurt.
The fat cats stay fat.
The winners of this are the media that love to spin things into bigger issues than they actually are.
2
You think NBA players and you all have rights to talk about politics, but you are wrong. Even for NBA players, what they could say are against-Trump, against-racism, against-bureaucratic. Could they say some supportive words for Trump, racism and bureaucratic? No they can not! Each country has its own politic correctness. Do not suppose your correctness is the univeral truth.
6
This is not news. It is a huge potential monetary loss for some very rich arrogant dudes that own NBA franchises.
1
The US government has relations, and US companies do business in many countries that have authoritarian, repressive regimes, and one can debate the morality behind this. With that said, as the NBA is learning, there is sometimes a price to pay for companies that do not follow the rules in these countries. The question is whether the NBA and it's owners are willing to pay the price, or whether their values are for sale.
It may have taken a few days, but kudos to Adam Silver for showing the moral backbone to stand up to the Chinese government and to set an example for all of our country.
1
No league has empowered player (ie the Labor) like the NBA. As a result no league has responded more to the rights of African Americans. Somehow the league has to connect the dots that it has a responsibility to speak out in HK appropriately but without ambiguity. And that it’s commercial success is linked to doing good. ESG is a big thing and it matters.
Yes China is a big market. But is it a real market? If it hurts you in so many other ways then is it worth it morally or even commercially? Perhaps selling your soul is actually not a very good deal.
And what about all the fans in China that would be inspired by a courageous NBA?
What a great time for the NBA.
2
The issue of territorial separation in China is like racial discrimination in the United States. What is happening in Hong Kong today is largely seen as separatism, a taboo for the Chinese. At the heart of the issue is not freedom of expression, but the inviolability of national sovereignty.
9
The issue of territorial separation in China is like racial discrimination in the United States. What is happening in Hong Kong today is largely seen as separatism, a taboo for the Chinese. At the heart of the issue is not freedom of expression, but the inviolability of national sovereignty.
5
Let’s not let the Chinese repress our right to free speech here in America.
Communist China is not a friend of the US - they’re a necessary trading partner - that’s it.
7
NBA..(No Backbone At all)..It is ok to tweet about the "ills" of the US by players and coaches...never an apology for those. So when a team official makes a valid point about an international civil rights problem. The feel they have to apologize. Yes Silver supported him...but everyone else took shot at him to appease the Chinese.
This is another sport I will quit watching.
4
So when money is at the stake, we abandom democracy and freedom. Are we really going to take monetary as the higest value we have now?
6
Is there anything we won't do or sacrifice for the sake of a buck? Now it's freedom of speech, in our own country, to speak out in favor of people protesting for their own freedom.
The NBA is all for letting its players and executives speak their minds as long as sneaker sales and broadcast rights in China are not impacted. For example, since Donald Trump's white, middle aged, evangelical supporters of Trump are not buying LeBron's or James Harden's latest sneaker, I guess it's financially "safe" to bash Trump. But Chinese oppression--that's apparently off limits, because there are a lot of feet in China.
Yet another example of selling our principles for profit. Shameful.
5
Morley was correct in his initial remarks, and China is one of the most vile and despicable regimes in the world. Let’s pick democracy over profits for a change.
3
HK government is considering to label these thugs and rioters as terrorists because they fit the definition of UN's terrorist definition. It shows how serious this matter is.
Mr. Morey simply misspoken about these rioters. They act violently and destructively. Their actions will never happen here because they would be shot and stopped by our police. Our domestic audience have no idea how cruel and violent these rioters really are. And Mr. Morey is simply wrong on this issue. It has nothing to do with democracy, and it has everything to do destroying HK and embarrassing China.
When one is in a prominent position, one should be careful about one is saying. President Trump is a good example that his words has resulted in significant and unintended consequence.
7
Dude you are absolutely right, these are terrorist attacks in HK, it had nothing to do with democracy nor freedom of expression...but i found very few Americans are aware of this.. so sad.
HK protestors threw petrol bombs at police officers. If you think that action is part of democracy then democracy is dead. What do you think the NYPD officers would do if someone did the same to them? Why don't you ask any police officers of their would be reaction? I believe they would like to be able to go home after their duty to see their love ones.
8
The reason why the Hong Kong protesters are acting this way is because they are desperate. Like a cornered animal, they are fighting tooth and nail for something that no one else will help them with. They are alone and are truly aware of this.
The police have been using excessive force since day one. You can’t deny that fact. I agree that some of the more violent protesters are taking it a bit far too but the police show no mercy TO ANYONE. Both sides have casualties and both sides have families to go home to.
Also this bill will violate the sovereignty of Hong Kong. Please keep this in mind.
The NBA should tell China to pound sand. Cut any loss now and sever ties with China. As to NBA owners like Joe Tsai who are part of the corrupt and autocratic Chinese system, the fans should not support the Nets and not attend Barclay Center events. Tsai will get the message as will the Chinese government.
5
HK government is considering to label these thugs and rioters as terrorists because they fit the definition of UN's terrorist definition. It shows how serious this matter is.
Mr. Morey simply misspoken about these rioters. They act violently and destructively. Their actions will never happen here because they would get shot and stop by our police. Our domestic audience have no idea how cruel and violent these rioters really are. They have to be stopped. And Mr. Morey is simply wrong on this issue. It have nothing to do with democracy, and it has everything to do destroying HK and embarrassing China.
When one is in a prominent position, one should be careful about what one is saying. President Trump is a good example that his words has resulted in significant consequence.
5
The protestors in Hong Kong can protest but Colin Kapernick can’t take a knee.
2
You need the worlds best players and hopefully the players union to make a statement in support of the HK protestors, and Morey. How about it Lebron, Seth, Kevin?.....make Harden look like a chump. The players are the League! Make Tsai sell the team.
Just ask yourself, what would Kaepernick do?
2
Maybe it’s time we and the rest of the world admit that business can’t be conducted in the customary manner with a communist dictatorship like China. It’s clear that doing so will require us to renounce our most basic principles. In the case of the NBA, they’ll have to shut up and dribble. Even worse, our own president won’t even express support for the human rights of the people of Hong Kong or anyone else. Doing business in China shouldn’t require American to sell their souls to make a buck. Sign right here NBA commissioner
3
I too stand with the people of Hong Kong. I plan to boycott all advertisers and sponsors to Brooklyn Nets games, starting with Barclays bank and Adidas who sponsors James Harden. If Adam Silver trumps money over democracy, then I will respond with my lack of money to the NBA's sponsors.
5
Colin Kaepernick was lauded by major NBA figures for his use of free speech in kneeling for the national anthem. The NBA didn't say a word about it. Now, a major NBA figure lauds protesters for using their free speech. He is the demon. What a joke.
3
Bottom line: in capitalist America money is ALL POWERFUL.
The blather about "moral responsibility" is just that: blather...!
Do not forget this fact.
2
Tsai is the worst type of person. His statement essentially says "you should apologize to mainland Chinese people for "offending" them even though I work with the CCP to oppress and violate their human rights"
The Nets should be removed from his possession. Property rights don't matter to CCP members anyways!
How does Yale feel about educating an evil dictator's lieutenant?
2
The National Basketball Association should add which nations they represent to their name.
Shame on Silver, Hardin, and the whole league.
Just lost this fan!
1
This is what the new global economy has gotten us into. Americans must understand that much of what we expect, no DEMAND, in the way of the latest, greatest, and cheapest goods and services (and sports) require that we work with other nations that carry out despicable deeds. I do not advocate kowtowing to the repressive Chinese government, but I also know the reality of business. These are the moral, ethical, pragmatic questions that must be confronted if we Americans want the goods and entertainment to which we have become accustomed. Protectionism, isolationism, America first at any cost, including war come with serious questions. How we address these will put our democracy on display.
2
If the entire world would stop apologizing to China, at some point they will get the message. After all, they depend on us as much as we depend on them (or perhaps more).
3
I am not a great fan of televised sports, but I enjoy a good game with friends. This article is curious one, however, especially since free speech in the United States has a major impact, offending a great nation and culture and sending corporate heavy hitters scrambling to protect their profit-making.
An interesting juxtaposition: Georgetown Law students shout down the acting head of the US Department of Homeland Security over US immigration policy while China beats down criticism of its handling of Hong Kong freedom protests.
1
Americans need to stand up to China NOW. Companies are already bowing to China's will in defiance of US foreign policy and our own ideals. It is far better to isolate China now. We cannot play by their rules and expect any outcome that respects human rights. We must rally the support of Europe and Australia to jointly draw the line in the sand. If the Chinese government truly wants to boycott everyone who doesn't kowtow to its totalitarian China-centric vision, if it wants to go back to the days before the opening to the West, let them. Then we'll see what happens.
9
When you express your views you must reconsider,for not what you think right is actually right. There is nothing absolutely freedom,neither in US or in China. People need to take responsibility for what he say.
1
The point is being forced out of a job, which is what the Chinese government and fans want, should not be the consequence or responsibility Morley has to take just for expressing his view. If you are slapped in the face for your comment, would you consider that fair game and think “I should’ve known there is no absolute freedom”?
1
I am glad that Ted Cruz is proud of the Rockets for standing up to China. I just hope that one day he will stand up to Trump and do and say the right thing, as he should being an elected official and a citizen of this country.
9
As a person living in Hong Kong, I think the focus is misguided. I respect everyone’s comment on China and understand the sentiment on whether an apology was necessary. I would, however, ask the readers to support democracy and human rights in its true form and denounce the protestors' thuggish and violent behaviour. The protestors no longer deserve your support in the first place. Normal citizens in Hong Kong are suffering because of the riots (many examples indicates that the protestors are beyond peaceful protesting: they had detained and tortured two reporters for a 6 hours ordeal in the airport, had stopped a few taxis and beat up the drivers; ganged up on people who don’t join them and seriously gang beat them ((with a few still in serious conditions)). This past weekend, they set up roadblocks to stop normal citizens and “asked” for all the money in their wallets and copied the drivers’ ID to threaten them. All these are caught on videos but the mainstream media refuse to cover. One can watch Youtuber Toby Guu who is from N.America and is pro-demonstration to get a more an example of a balanced view). We do need US politicians and US public to support human rights and democracy, but the help we need is to get the truth out; that what originally started as a peaceful protest for democracy had ironically morphed into a dark force to suppress basic human rights.
17
this is the fairest answer.
It’s about democracy nothing more, nothing less. There are no dark forces here, unless you include the Chinese government.
2
@ddl
The same could have been said about Washington and his generals, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Hamilton and the other protesters who engaged in violent and thuggish behaviour.
Human Freedom Index, a joint study by Canada's Fraser Institute, Germany's Liberales Institut, and the U.S. Cato Institute, has ranked Hong Kong as the 1st place among more than 160 countries in the world since 2008, still ranked 3rd place in its most recent study. People in Hong Kong enjoy far more freedom than people in the US, UK, Canada or any other countries. Better fight for freedom here in the US as we ranked only the 17th place.
3
@Phillip
Well said. But unfortunately nobody reads anymore and everybody engaged in tweets and text message.
The propaganda machine here works very well. For past three days, there are over 300,000 people protesting in South Korea. Have you heard anything from the media here in the US ? I think it should be news if not breaking news.
2
@Phillip
That "freedom index" had to do with business regulations and red tape.
It has nothing to do with people's freedoms to say what they want, read what books they want, breathe clean air, eat uncontaminated food and drink uncontaminated water.
The NBA cares more about revenue than justice and freedom.
10
It’s nice to know that James Harden values money over the principles of freedom and free speech. It wasn’t his place to apologize and it was rude and disrespectful to do so.
15
I used to respect James Harden as an athlete and an intelligent, outspoken individual. No longer. Rockets should move to China and be done with the pretense of caring about anything but profit.
Long live Hong Kong and her struggle for freedom!
15
"...dire financial consequences for many multinational corporations..."
But their first-rate products and services are irreplaceable by Chinese products and services...aren't they? Or do the managers and shareholders of multinational corporations fear being...um...how shall I put it...OUTSOURCED?
1
@Ben
That happened with Cathay airlines. They demanded their executives in China turn over a list of all their employees who attended the protest. The guy was forced to resign because he wouldn't do that. Needless to say, he went back to England, but Cathay still has operations in China.
1
@Viv
Too bad the NBA doesn’t one millionth of the personal and professional integrity of that airlines executive.
1
It’s looking like the 21st Century will be the Chinese century. To counter the leverage of a gigantic totalitarian bully will require solidarity among Europe and the Americas. Under present political conditions on both continents, we are heading downhill fast. We won the Cold War by crashing the Soviet economy. The CCP learned from that, but it is the only alternative to becoming a satellite state. That’s where the NBA incident and others mentioned in the article are leading us.
To quote Lenin, “The Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them.”
5
Nets owner Joseph Tsai dismissed Hong Kong protestors as a "separatist movement." He should know: as a billionaire, he's a member of the most dangerous separatist movement of them all. Time to bring back the 91% tax bracket of the JFK era? And to eliminate any public funding for sports complexes, obviously.
5
Read CAREFULLY Tsai's comment in whole. It is nuanced and touches the true issue. Times reporter completely missed ( or ignored and dismissed?) the essential argument.
In China the Han supermajority (like 90%) are like the white folks in this country. Like Joe Tsai.
His exposition of Chinese history from the 18th century through WWII is well taken, veracious, and exposes the disgusting role Western Powers, Japan, and others played in the pillage, slaughter and mayhem resulting in the deaths of 10s of millions (at least) of Chinese.
So, Joe tells us, Chinese sovereignty over its own territory is like a "third rail" not only for Chinese leaders, but for the Han supermajority of the populace.
If you examine the Hong Kong protesters five points, you will find nothing challenging Chinese sovereignty. Many others have put forward this point, so I won't elaborate.
One other point I would put forward is how China treats their Yuighur (pronounced we-ghur) minority of some 10 million+ souls. I characterize it as "gentle genocide." They have imprisoned over a million Yuighur into "re-education" camps, providing Han ideological indoctrination, as well as vocational training. A tenth of the population.
Perhaps, the brothers and sisters will have no trouble at all understanding what this means, because they or their friends have been through it.
Check it out on wiki: chinese minorities, internment camps.
I'm not a Republican. I'm totally disgusted by Trump.
Within a few decades, China will be the major economic power in the world. We need to hold them accountable while we can.
5
Boycott. Nets fans should boycott all Nets games this season until the owner apologizes to Mr Morey and stops spouting the Communist Chinese party line. Over a billion people in China are force fed the Party line and thus were “offended “ by the tweet in support of the protestors.
9
Don’t just punish American companies who kowtow to China, boycott Chinese products made by Chinese companies and sold to America!
This is the same logic as the Hongkong protestors asking the US to punish HK in order to punish China. Makes no sense, unless the objective is to punish China instead of being genuinely concerned about HK’s future.
Consider this - when Jimmy Carter was President, the USA declined to participate in the 1980 Moscow hosted Olympic Games on account of the invasion of Afghanistan. Carter was a resolute man forged at the US Naval Academy with trustworthy principles. Never would sell out to a crackpot strongman.
7
@Suburban Cowboy
Sadly, Carter himself has been apologising for China in recent times. I still respect the man but never thought he would turn into an apologist for a dictatorial regime.
1
Show me the money! The NBA revealed their true colors. Virtue means nothing to them, it’s all about the money.
5
what the coaches and players said about Trump is very different than Morley's tweet on HK. A good comparison is what the ex-boss of LA Clippers said and Morley's tweet. because of the cultural differences, there is something you cannot talk about in the US.,which is about racism; and you really don't want to say anything related to separatist to the Chinese. Mr Tsai is absolutely right of his comments explains why the Chinese citizens are so argry, put yourself in other's shoe and think about it.
1
There is nothing Morley said that is even remotely racists toward Chinese or has anything to do with separatist movement. HK’ struggle is about universal suffrage and human rights. And I’m Chinese. So please don’t use the racism card to justify your support for an unprincipled owner and a thuggish regime.
1
@Steven
Tsai was born in Taiwan. For him to call HK protests at separatist movement’ is a complete disgrace. Is he also going to tell Taiwan to submit to Xi Jinping’s repressive regime? Or is he doing it just to protect his billions that are locked up in Alibaba over which the Chinese Communist Party exercises the ultimate control?
It's hilarious how Hong Kong protest proponents are supportive of freedom of speech until it's speech that they don't like. Darryl Morey had every right to speak his opinion, just as Tilman Fertitta, the NBA, and Joe Tsai had every right to rebuke his opinion. Apparently, anyone who does not conform to the thinking that China is the Antichrist is automatically a bad person now. We are living Orwellian times; wrongthink is very real in the western world.
1
Difference is Morley didn’t punish Tsai for speaking his mind, but Chinese fans want Morley fires just because they didn’t like what he said. That’s the difference between exercising your own freedom of speech and suppressing others’.
2
Human rights vs. Corporate profits.
Human rights +36,000
1
But the NBA was “brave” enough to stand up to North Carolina’s bathroom law.
So there’s that.
5
Let’s see. If the Chinese publicly applauded the Timothy McVeigh bombing, and expressed their support of anti-government white supremacists in the US. Not only would this enrage the US public, but would reflect badly on China. Typical US arrogance to think that you understand what is going on. The movement in HK is a separatist movement now hijacked by extreme right elements.
2
Guess where Donald Trump has business interests: Turkey or Kurdish Syria? The Trump Org. makes millions in Turkey every year while the head of that organization and our Commander in Chief prepares to abandon our only true allies in the Middle East. On the flip side the NBA sells its soul to make big bucks in the largest open-air prison camp in the world while it's most outspoken stars remain silent, or in the case of The Beard, grovel to Beijing. The only conclusion is that we live in a totally corrupt, amoral Adam Silver era and only a cataclysm of some large dimension will set things right. Pity the next generation because we have made a mess of this one. Adam Silver, the most unhealthiest looking man in the universe, has done the unspeakable: he has put me in agreement with Ted Cruz.
1
The US hasn’t had a real separatist movement since the Civil War. Try to support Catalonia independence and see what the response will be. To say that HK riots are not about independence is missing the forest for the trees. Just come to HK and use Google translate on the slogans the rioters are using.
4
"N.B.A.’s reaction reflects a corporate sensitivity toward China’s low tolerance for criticism of its political system."
Let me fix that; "the N.B.A.’s reaction reflects a corporate culture of cowardice and traitorous acceptance of China’s low tolerance for criticism of its political system."
1
I, a Hong Kong local resident who lives in this metropolitan for over 40 years have never seen chaos like this. The government is weak and has been doing poorly in tackling social inequality. However, the riots are killing this city I love!! I really want to cry!! That doesn’t make sense. All I wish for is to have both sides calm down and look for a way out !!
4
Easy, all the government has to do is to stop the police crack downs and create an independent investigation commission to look into police brutality. That’s all the protesters have been asking for months thru peaceful protests. Instead they are arrested and beaten by the police. That’s how things turn violent because they have no choice but to fight back to protect themselves from the police and the gangs that work with the police.
1
This incident is merely a reminder that the N.B.A., at its core, is just another corporate business (arguably a cartel), no different from Disney, Facebook, or Boeing. The only difference is that it sells athletic performance, while Facebook sells you and Boeing sells aircraft.
As with any corporation, if you don't like that it is kissing Xi Jinping's you-know-what (and I most certainly don't!), then organize a boycott of its products and let Silver & Co., as well as the Players Association, hear about it. And organize very public boycotts of its sponsors as well.
On a personal level, find a way to pass on some support to Daryl Morey for speaking the truth to mega-financial power.
2
Most of the NBA oligarchs would be fine with it if America actually turned into Hong Kong, minus the messy protests and awkward efforts at free speech that so sully the sweet, refreshing balm of money. Those uppity protesters, rebelling against the charms of their one-party state, why they’re almost like Democrats. How dare they! We don’t do protests here of course. We have sports to occupy us. Maybe Hong Kong needs a franchise, a hoop dream to quell the unrest, and some sneaker envy added in for good measure. Sports are the opiate of the masses after all. Xi sells sport shows by the seashore.
2
If one looks at the set of comments selected by NYT moderator, one sees that they all fall on one side of the argument and has an ideological bias. How many of the readers have paid attention as to how violent the HK protests have become? If they have watched the latest incidents of people being beaten up just fir arguing with the protestors, shops being vandalised just because they do not support the protests or are Chinese run businesses, how protestors threaten police and their loved ones, would one still think it sensible to post a tweet in support of the HK protests? It’s then understandable to a certain extent the strong reaction from Chinese fans and makes the apology a bit more reasonable.
2
I’m Chinese and I pay close attention. I would say NY Times is right on point in their report. There is no bias if their reports are facts. If that makes the Chinese/HK government and police look bad, that’s because they are doing something bad. Your argument is like saying calling Trump a liar is considered bias report.
1
Mainstream western media does a good job in being factual. However, this is insufficient for good journalism. You can focus most of the time just on one side of the coin, and the impression it creates on the reader is that the coin has only one side and they are oblivious to what the other side of the coin looks like. That is bias. Of course you can say that it is subjective. But usually looking at data by research organisations, as in the case of the belt and road initiative, NYT reports are mostly negative, while research (see recent report by David Dollar from Brookings) shows that the result is far more mixed. You can also identify bias easily by comparing similar situations involving different countries and the emphasis to which they are covered, the sympathy of the reporters. In this case, compare coverage of Indian policies in Kashmir vs Chinese policies in Xinjiang. Bias is inevitable, but consistent bias is more damaging and in this case, helps fuel anti-China sentiments that will only increase tensions between China and US, and also lead to more discrimination against Chinese in US. Chinese media on the other hand have a lower standard for being factual and is unabashedly biased and aims at spreading its own narrative. But that is a different issue unrelated to NYT reporting.
It's not whether they can survive China, it's whether they can survive the US market now that they have sold out their "creed".
1
I find it rich that politicians, particularly Republican ones, are calling the league gutless when they themselves are so chary of criticizing the President. Their fear of offending him and hurting their re-election chances has them hiding in the closet. God forbid they take a stand and do what they know is the right thing. Talk about gutless.
1
For every Bill Gates that donates his time and fortune to solving global problems, there are a few dozen billionaire team owner types, all of them scheming to make an extra buck by throwing the freedom of millions directly under the bus. Maybe it’s time to tax basketball game tickets and use that money to fund the freedom fighters in Hong Kong.
2
My comment to Mr. Tsai:
Mr. Tsai, I am a Rocket fan from China, and I totally disagree what you said about Hong Kong and Chinese history. What you said is far from truth and those Chinese fans are ridiculously overacting to Mr. Morey's tweet: "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong." What's wrong with that tweet? Will you not agree with that? Don't those Chinese fans want Hong Kong to have freedom?
On another note, you accept the official version of Chinese history over the past 150 years. If you were a student of history, did it ever occur to you that that is full of propaganda and misinformation? Your letter and the way China reacted to Morey's tweet, surprisingly, shows how the supposedly great middle kingdom lacks respect and understanding of free speech, is sensitive with very low self-esteem, and how quickly it is willing to jam its idea down anybody's throat who dare to disagree. What a pity!
7
Democracy is only part of the issue. Many of the protestors are economically disenfranchised by horrifically high housing costs, economic inequality & feel left behind by the booming neighboring cities of the mainland –Shenzhen and Guangzhou. HK went from ~ 25% of China’s GDP in the 1980s to less than 2% today. This is one of the main forces behind the anger & not talked about much in the US.
Many of these protesters are blaming the huge influx of immigrants from mainland Chinese into HK for the economic problems mentioned above & many have become extremely xenophobic against mainland Chinese. Sound familiar?
Many of these rioters are increasingly violent and want complete independence from China. Too often the HK police are being bombarded with molotov cocktails, bricks & rocks thrown at them by the “rioters”. Police officers have been hospitalized as well as Pro Beijing protesters have been beat up by the rioters.
When some protestors talk fondly about the British & wave the British flag they should remember that the 99 + year imperialist rule of the British over Hong Kong NEVER had universal suffrage. In fact Hong Kong NEVER had elections until 1995 – only 2 years before the handover. The British crushed many basic rights -- including freedom of the press -- during the 1967 riots.
By demanding that a 5000 year civilization must follow a Western style democracy is both arrogant & another form of imperialism.
Just my 2 cents
1
Except what you said is not fact. Fact is, front-line medical staffs are all in support of the protesters because they can see protesters are the one being beaten and injured. Police use baton to crack protesters’ skull, break their legs while in detention, even reports of murder are circulating and government refuses to release cctv to prove their innocence, gangs getting permission from police to beat citizens indiscriminately, police firing almost 3000( yes, 3000) tear gas into crowds, sometimes from high rise building, blinded protester’s eye, arresting kids as young as 12 yo, dumping bodies in seas. Why don’t you mention these facts?
1
Oh, I even forgot they shot a protester in the chest execution style and claim its just the shoulder that was shot.
1
Money.
That's it - just make as much as you can, all the time and make sure you can keep it up.
This is literally killing us all.
1
How about some NBA games, probably exhibition games, in Taiwan or Hong Kong?
1
@Jim S.
I doubt Tsai is planning to take his team to Taiwan anytime soon. Such a disgrace for someone who was born in Taiwan.
1
This is a very sad day for the NBA. For a league that is upwards 90 percent African-American to put greed and green backs before solidarity with freedom fighters in Hong Kong, or anywhere, just shows how debased we’ve become as a society. And, this has nothing and everything thing to do with trump. The shame
1
The fecklessness of the NBA reminds one of the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1936 which bowed to Nazi Germany in not only participating in the Berlin Olympics, which many in the U.S. opposed, but also in keeping two Jewish runners on the team from competing.
Let the NBA think about whom history vindicated.
As to those movie studios, most in the U.S. with the exception of Warner Brothers feared giving up the German market and therefore willingly excluded any reference to what the Nazis were doing throughout the 1930s. Of course, Disney is just following the lead of its founder Walt who when Leni Riefenstahl, Hitler's favorite film maker, visited Hollywood in the later '30s was the only studio head to meet with her.
2
This is what #45 is supposedly saving us from, corporate greed.
The NBA is a business like, Apple and Ford. The $ is in China, the USA is so 1990’s.
Get used to this, 45 will loose and corporate America will continue to sell us and democratic values out for $$$$$. Has always been the way, will always be.
2
They should start a franchise is Hong Kong....who cares what they think!
1
China is getting more and more like the religious zealots that throw a tantrum and want to start some crusade every time someone speaks against their world view. It's getting really old.
The NBA has really embarrassed itself.
2
The valor of Hollywood, NBA and all other progressive free speech advocates starts and ends with Trump and America as there is no economic consequence for bashing them. Not with China! Biggest set of hypocrites
3
South Park to the letter.
1
NBA is always my favourite game until now ... They choose money over American values... Shame on you. May your business be prosperous in China and continue to sell your consciences ...
1
In the words of Martin Niemöller, First they came for the socialists...If the NBA players (and the US government) are not willing to stand with the people of Hong Kong, I never want to hear them talk about the very real difficulties of black lives matter or the conspiracy against Colin Kaepernick.
2
The end of days is here. Beto and Ted Cruz agree on something.
1
Thou shall bow before thy master: money
1
Fight for freedom, I stand with Hong Kong
1
This is not about freedom of speech. This is about playing by China's rule and norm when you are doing business with and in China.
The US ban Huawei because allegedly Huawei did not play by the US rule; I don't see why it's problematic for China to demand NBA to play by its rule in exchange for market access.
Nobody is pointing a gun at Silver's head to force him to do business in China. On the contrary, the absolute majority of used-to-be NBA fans in China don't want NBA in China now, and by the look of it, the majority of NBA fans in the US don't want NBA in China either.
It's NBA itself that wants the Chinese market so badly. If that's what you want, you've got to play by Chinese rule.
5
I support the fight for freedom in HK, even if I am sure they will lose. But, I cannot blame the NBA. Morey never should have posted the thing in the first place. It was a loser for everyone the second he did.
But, having done that, the rest was and is predictable. There is no use being upset at the NBA any more than the dozens of other entities, including the government of the USA under presidents of both parties going back a long time. The NBA is simply following a well worn precedent. What tech companies are supporting HK? Any companies at all? Why should the NBA be different? Why should any of them care? There is money at stake.
That is capitalism. That is our modern world. Fights for freedom are messy. Make you late for dinner.
2
Your comments shows exactly why it should matter to protect businesses from political persecution. It’s not just the business, it’s the people in the business that will be punished. That’s when individual freedom is thrown out the window. Sooner or later, it will be you or me.
3
Well I should never say never. But the NBA has lost a fan. I won’t watch their games, which means I won’t see the products and services their sponsors are advertising.
12
Dan,
Does your boycott apply to other companies the produce or sell to China?
1
@Dan
Not fair. How is what the NBA different than any company in the USA? Walmart, Target, Amazon, Apple, Big Oil, airlines. As the article says, the world bows down to Chinese money. Including the US government, and for decades.
To single out the NBA seems like a weak response.
1
For me, this has been a long time coming.
The NBA has already adopted making much money from High School (sorry, College non-grads), so why take a principled stand now?
This has been the stance of movie studios, fast food restaurants and American companies that want to do business in China. Our culture is one of our greatest exports and it used to stand for democratic principles, which are a work in progress at best here in the US, but are now tarnished beyond recognition.
Does American basketball need to have a presence in China? Our athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs are the beneficiaries of free speech and democracy. If growth in China means tiptoeing around human rights abuses, maybe we shouldn't be there?
27
You are right. Some money just shouldn’t be made, like doing business with organized crimes, or dictatorships.
1
It is clear that politicians and businesses are happy to sell out people for profit. Many American businesses sold us out for cheap Chinese labor, now they are more than happy to sell out those in Hong Kong and China. And for all of their talk of a free market, they are more than willing to bow down to China's authoritarian government so that they can continue to benefit from it. Countries like China and Saudi Arabia are not our friends and should not be bowed down to. We should expect companies to take a strong stand against governments like China's. There are plenty of other places to make and sell goods and if enough companies refused to do business with China until the government changed, I suspect we would see rapid changes there. But clearly profit is more important to these companies than human rights and democracy. That does not say much for capitalism.
17
@Todd Johnson
The GOP tells the world that the only duty a business has is to make money for the owners and stockholders. Even if they have to break the law. Even if lots of people suffer. That is real American capitalism.
Anything else is socialism and will lead to economic destruction, failure of economies and misery in the whole society. maga.
Craven appeasement is not a viable strategy, as I think history has amply demonstrated. But as Karl Marx said, "capitalists do not stand so close to the ground as to their wallets."
21
It is appalling that NBA players, who demand the right to freely speak about racial politics, are utterly silent about China's censorship of their political speech in the USA. They should refuse to play in China. Their silence allows Chinese to censor their political speech in their own country. Hardin even condoned Chinese censorship of American speech by apologizing about his manager's politics, to appease the Communist Party. If Trump censored players' speech, they would condemn him and probably strike. Yet when a foreign political party censors them they are mute.
26
China's mindset: mind your own business
NBA vs NRA, they both are in for profit. The difference is NBA is a ball game for fun and competition. NRA business is with deadly weapons which well known for accounting over 40,000 gun related deaths annually for past decades. It is hypocritical for US to be on moral high ground for discussion of human rights for other countries they perceive as foe without understanding their history or background.
8
The Conservative backlash is disingenuous given their abdication of responsibility with our current “President”
The NBA is acting just like every other company large and small that does business in China. I would also include the America consumer. A consumer that doesn’t care where his product is produced or by whom. Only that the cost is cheap.
We are no longer a “special” country. We are just one of 180 .
Save the faux outrage.
12
@Practical Thoughts yeah, well said! Suddenly Cruz is out of the cracks and foxholes! Where has he been?!!
This is nothing new. The world is full of hypocrisies and double standards. When the US claims to fight for human rights but does nothing about Saudi killing of the journalist Khashoggi and continues to sell Saudi weapons and support its war in Yemen, it exposes its hypocrisy. When US criticises China’s policies in Muslim minority regions but chose to be silent on similar Indian policies in Kashmir, US again exposes its hypocrisy to observers. Most of American public just don’t see such hypocrisy because American media doesn’t focus on this angle.
25
Money talks, the almighty dollar rules in America.
10
I’m starting to be ashamed of this country that I was born in and used to love.
"Chinese fans, who see the Hong Kong protesters portrayed as violent rioters in the state-run news media and largely regard them as such, were furious." You know, as a subscriber and keen reader of Western publications, I still see those rioters vandalizing on a daily basis. I worry for NYT readers as much as for those of state-run media's.
11
I suspect that some NYT readers have never been to China and don’t appreciate her culture and history. They just enjoy burying their heads in the sand, like ostriches.
1
@HU YUPING did you also see the HK police beating protesters and randomly arresting people? Or the undercover cops who pretends to be protesters setting fire and throwing Molotov’s? Or the cops who switch weapons on people they arrested so they can be charged on some trumped up crimes?
I think totalitarianism and brutality is something that can be distinguished any where in the world, whether readers have been to China or not.
Nobody better mention Winnie the Pooh!!!
9
The NBA does not need more wealth. Owners, management, players and sponsors are all making unconscionable money. But Houston's billionaire owner and star player – James Harden, who'll earn a cool $118 million this season for bouncing a ball and tossing it through an orange hoop – are bigger fans of even more money than little principles such as freedom and democracy. Pitiful.
14
Shameful.
9
Curse you NBA for making me agree with Ted Cruz.
18
NBA = Now Beijing's Apologist
16
The Chinese are actively engaging in genocide against the Uygher people in order to sell the organs! But no, "we love china" you mean the evil genocidal communist? I am ashamed of the NBA
13
Money vs. human rights?
Of course the NBA is going to favor money.
Why people are sucked in by professional sports leagues which are only and always about exploiting human bodies to make money is beyond comprehension.
12
In order to love China, you have to support Hong Kong people's
desires for freedom. Harden is an idiot.
13
The NBA has become a cowardly league. I was proud that they were able to pull Sterling (?) from Clippers' ownership when they stood up to racial discrimination. But bowing to the Chinese Communist Party that refuse to apologize the evil things they have done? This is below human dignity. The NBA should apologize to those who fight for their own freedom -- what is the point to have a league policy that requires all players stand up for the national anthem? It is only the U.S. that deserves the land of free? The young people in Hong Kong are fighting for their freedom, and the NBA is throwing them under the bus!
On to sports. Yao Min is one of the most overrated NBA player -- a lot of promises but never delivered anything, to either the Rockets fans or his Chinese base. The only talent has used to have is being taller than anybody on the court. Now, he is the president of the Chinese BA and he seems to have found the best place he can "play" -- not that his national team is total trash right underneath his nose, but his being influential to tell the NBA who is the boss.
What can the NBA lose if they don't give damn about the Chinese reaction? We don't want to see the Chinese commercials littering NBA courts. The Chinese love NBA. NBA does not need China to survive. It will be their loss!
The new owner of the Nets apparently said something that against fundamental human rights. Maybe it is time for the NBA to stand up and clean the field?
6
The next time an NBA team wants a new arena, or expresses interest in moving to a new US city and wants the citizens of the city to underwrite the construction with a tax break or subsidy, I hope the citizens remember how the league sold out human rights for Renminbi, and suggest that their friends in China underwrite the deal. To be honest, I hope fans in NBA cities consider boycotting games. While the TV revenue might sustain them, it would be a little embarrassing when the camera pans to the stands, only to see half a dozen people in attendance.
24
Total cowardice by the NBA. They can kiss up to China while loosing American fans.
14
Stand with Hong Kong, or flame out with the Rockets.....
11
So, “the NBA” (i.e) black people and millionaires are supposed to risk their wealth, so that mostly white right wingers can brag about their “freedom” and “rights?!”
Where is the rest of corporate America, which is mostly white?!
No thanks!! The NBA is not taking that bullet!!!
3
where is Omar to defend the Uighurs? Oh, she only enjoys bashing israel.
where is the athletes who wish to stand up for human rights in Hong Kong and in China? Oh, they only get self satisfaction from bashing the USA.
pathetic. such intellectual dishonesty. so sad.
13
I wonder if Charles Barkley will make a comment. He is usually outspoken.
5
Let’s face it, Morey along with the NBA are not very adroit when it comes to foreign affairs. In fact they are down right imbeciles. One would think that Trump was on the team in China. The “ugly American” raises it’s head once again. This will all blow over and will be all forgotten by next week. Just as we have now forgotten the Ukraine brouhaha. And the silence of that “wonder-kind, old man Biden without a cause”, goes back to his villa in Kiev.
5
We are selling our right to free speech to the Chinese now? What a disgrace.
20
So America and Communist China now both hate the NBA. At least they know that the welcome mat is always out for them in North Korea.
6
Actually, Kim Jong Un is a huge fan of the NBA.
Reprehensible that the league sides with the authoritarian regime, the heirs of the Mao's Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution that murdered and starved to death more than 70 million souls. So, yeah, the Chinese government crosses the NBA's palm with silver, and the land of the free, home of the brave is a little less free, and a lot less brave.
11
This kind of flare up was readily foreseeable given that the owner in question is an Alibaba executive. No one in China is afforded the opportunity to become a billionaire without the approval of ruling state capitalist hierarchy governed by the politburo of the Chinese Communist Party.
10
Dear readers of NYT, I would like to think folks who read about and comment on NYT are the most well educated and best informed bunch in US and worldwide. But it saddens me quite a bit to see that people's view point are so not well informed and single sided (ie China is bad, HK is oppressed and should fight for its freedom). Publication such as NYT has to take blame as no news reporting in the world now is independent and objective anymore, one just needs to read from different perspective to form a better view. Issue #1, is China really that bad, the answer is NO, go travel and meet the people and you will see. Correct it's one party rule, but people are generally happy about it and leading a better and better life everyday. Things are changing for the better and not for the worse. Who is to decide what political system is right for any country and its people? If USA system is so great and people so free, what about the mess with Trump right now? No body is perfect. Issue #2, for anyone to support HK independence is like for any Chinese to advocate for Hawaii to be independent. It's a non starter, actually it's even worse as HK was always part of China and Hawaii didn't even belong to the US before 1959. So this kind of comment can really touch a nerve in the minds of Chinese people.
14
@Alex Zhang
I didn’t read your entire comment, but I sense that you abhor Chairman Xi and are simply struggling for the right words to express that justifiable hatred.
2
Funny that, it was never a part of the PRC until 1997 and even more interestingly a large portion of the people seem to prefer the Brits as colonial overlords to Red China as colonial overlords.
11
@Alex Zhang
This is not an issue of the West deciding Chinese politics. It's not even an issue of whether HK should be independent.
The point is that people in the West, including those of Chinese descent, should be able to express their opinion without meddling from the Chinese government and their supporters.
You disagree with their opinion? Great, that is your right. Nobody is trying to silence you. Nobody is harassing you or bans your opinion from being published.
Where you cross a line is with the repeated harassment and death threats sent to people in Western countries, especially those of Chinese descent. That is not okay, or acceptable.
Chinese students in Canada and the US have been attacked, harassed, videotaped and followed by Chinese embassy workers, for expressing their opinion.
This is a crime, and it is not acceptable. Do what you want in your own country. You have no right to intimidate people or dictate what other people are allowed to say in other countries.
14
First, it is the money, secondly, it is about money and it is always about the money.
12
Seems like everybody’s a little touchy these days…
If China can’t take a simple tweet, And the NBA wants to support communism in search of capitalism…
What is up is what is down...
It is ridiculous that an American cannot speak their own mind…
No matter how famous or the not so famous, we support freedom and I am proud of voices that make it plain and so.
11
In the late 90s, a government representative from China said they will beat America by feeding their greed.
And they did.
14
It’s all about money. Don’t anger China because they have a lot of it....but no freedom of speech like we are supposed to have.
6
Suppose Mr. Trump appealed to boycott made-in-China goods in stores because of the trade dispute, people would just laugh. This is not the case in China or Korea. People seriously follow propaganda.
3
America has been kow-towing to dictatorships and fascist governed countries for many decades.
Today it was pleasing China, retracting all criticism of the regime’s treatment of the Hong Kong citizens by an NBA coach, making clear to the world war that America is a loyal friend of every type of country in which the NBA, the teams and their players can make loads of money.
In Syria, Kurdish fighters who helped American soldiers beat Isis, found out today what America’s gratitude to them actually means. The American President instead of standing alongside with the Kurds, he now ‘feeds’ them to a Turkish Dictator who wants to kill these same Kurdish fighters.
Loyalty, a word that Trump uses non-stop, day in day out, means in reality zilch, nothing.
A loyalist today will be thrown to the lions the next day if it pleases and benefit him (Trump) personally as several close political partners and supposedly friends found out the last few days.
A friend today, an enemy tomorrow seems Trumps motto to be.
8
@Johan Debont
The Kurds have a safe homes in Iran, Iraq and Syria. They were never going to be given an independent country, and they knew that. Nobody promised them anything of the kind.
@Viv
Well not Syria anymore.
It seems like NBA players no longer want to be like Mike; they want to be like Trump. Anything to keep lining their pockets.
So James Harden apologized for someone in his organization tweeting support for Hong Kong protestors trying to gain civil rights?
I will never watch James Harden again. i hope his losing streak continues.
Shameful for the NBA and particularly for an American POC, James Harden.
4
I am ASHAMED of James Harden. So ASHAMED! Look, I may not agree with violent protests but as a Black American, whose ancestors marched and fought for our own freedoms in this country, I support them. I support the Hong Kong people who are bravely trying to hold on to the freedoms they had under British rule. I'm not surprised by the NBA. Money, Money, Money.
9
I agree with Senator Cruz that the NBA “shamefully retreated,” but I wonder if he is the best one to make that charge. He is now chumming up with the same person who made baseless claims about his father and rude remarks about the looks of his wife. Now that is a shameful retreat.
4
Another example of our USA Company's choice of money over human rights and values. Greed will always go toward money in and complicit ignorance. If we don't have values, or friendship, we have nothing. Any other President would've supported the brave people of Hong Kong and probably at least negotiated with China. Anther sign of our country's moral crumbling under this oaf. It breaks my heart. People.....stand up
3
If anything the NBA should apologize to the people of China for having appeased a tyrant so vile to and afraid of democracy.
STAND WITH HONG KONG.
8
What a spineless about-face!
This torpedoes whatever appeal the Rockets and the NBA had for me.
It should be a no-brainer for America to stand with Hong Kong's protest movement. They are doing what our revolutionary ancestors did, fighting agains daunting odds for their freedoms.
6
Grotesque. In the USA seems like it’s only ever about the money. Principles are dead in this decaying zombie of a country.
5
American 'Exceptionalism' unmasked again.
Is it for sale to the highest bidder like ambassadorships or almost anything else on Capitol Hill?
Maybe offer a sinecure assignment to Xi Ping family?
2
Why? Cowardice. Money.
3
Kudos for GM Morey. He should be applauded for taking a righteous moral stand.
If you would have told me that I find common ground with Sens. Marco Rubio AND Ted Cruz, I would have told you to immediately check me into a mental facility ASAP.
Yet it just happened.
China is, if not only of the most brutal regimes in the world, but is also a repressor of our freedom speech rights - in our own country!
Though Adam Silver and others say that they support 1st amendment rights - the message is clear: Speak out against China - players/gm's /owners and you're on your own.
Absolutely pathetic.
Time for a season long boycott of all NBA games for me. Except for Houston GM Morey, you're all a bunch of greedy, spineless cowards. Your empty words on speaking for human rights apparently ends when $$$ are involved.
4
How is this possibly controversy? The NBA is entertainment. It is no different from Hollywood tailoring scripts to be able to sell movies in China. It is capitalism. Money speaks. The neo-Taneyist Roberts US Supreme court says money dominates human voices and liberties. Mitt Romney said corporations are people too. Why get your knickers in a twist? Sell-out. Profit. Or if you have nothing to sell, shut-up and take it. It is the AmericanWay21C (tm).
1
Utterly shameful. Props to the NYT for shining a light on just one example of the sickening kowtowing of corporate America to a repressive, totalitarian (truly) “evil” empire. There are many more examples - Hollywood appeasing Chinese censors comes to mind.
4
Hey, what about Dennis Rodman and his affair with North Korea!? Where is the blowback from that! Never thought the Chinese to be so thin skinned!
2
"Senator Hawley: 'some things are more important than money'"?????? Really Senator? Did a sitting Senator actually say that with a straight face?
4
Bringing China into the world economic order has created the communist party’s power to quiet dissent over its policies anywhere in the world. It will only get worse until one day the communist party party has a say in people’s everyday lives all over the free world. It is western corporations greed that fuels this. The best course for the free world, no matter how much short term pain, is to walk back all of the economic ties between it and China. Assume the world market has 1.3 billion less people.
12
Having lived in Asia, and knowing what they say about us and their determination to rule everyone of us, I know you are right.
How much longer before there is a dossier on every American who speaks out against Chinese domination and social control of what we are and aren’t allowed to think and say, if corporations are allowed to be complicit in this control?
In China, you disappear for saying the above.
Is that worth it to you?
You may think this is being dramatic, or exaggerated. It’s the truth.
8
Exactly. What will happen if one day an American say something Chinese government doesn’t like and then be fired because his company needs to maintain good relationship with China. People need to wake up and understanding threats from a commminist dictatorship js real and is reaching its black hand everywhere in the world.
The bravest people in the world defending democracy and freedoms are the protesters in Hong Kong facing down the world's most powerful and repressive dictatorship. The leaders of the NBA have shown themselves to be very little people not worthy of respect.
18
@Tammy I will not watch another basketball game until the NBA stands for freedom and critizises the Chinese Communist Party for what they are.
China can make it's own basketball league, and they can have their own internal economy with zero trade with developed countries too. Bye bye.
The owners that aren’t CCP shills should band together and fire Adam Silver.
14
A couple of years ago the NBA pulled it's All-Star Game from North Carolina because of that state's discriminatory policies toward transgender people. But China is arguably the world's poster country for human rights abuses. I have long admired the NBA for its progressive stance on human rights and free speech. Not any more.
38
Excluding Trump, I cannot think of another president, either Republican or Democratic, who would not speak up in defense of people protesting for freedom and democracy. Trump's efforts to protect his daughter's Chinese trademarks and drag China into a witch hunt of the Bidens sets a horrible example for the rest of the world. If the leader of the free world won't support freedom and democracy for selfish motives, we shouldn't be surprised when business interests behave in a similar fashion.
9
@Brian
I think you have a very short memory.
By the way, where is Biden's admonishment? Is his conciliatory tone towards China related to his son's billions in investments and patents there? Total coincidence I'm sure.
2
Here's my apology: Dear Hong Kongers, Uighurs, Tibetans, human rights activists political prisoners and anyone who has disappeared for expressing themselves and doing right by their conscience, I'm sorry some people in this world are spineless hypocrites who'd rather bow down before the mighty dollar, have shiny new toys, cheap clothes, furniture and products, than stand for human rights. Some of us are aware fo the modern day holocaust going on in Xinjiang, and the systemic police brutality and suppression of free speech, free press and assembly. Hong Kong deserves freedom. Uyghurs deserve freedom, and to have their organs remain in tact, to speak their own language and not be brainwashed in re-education gulags. We preach "never again", and to "learn from history", but it seems we are doomed to repeat it. I haven't bought anything made in China for months. Consumerism is bad for the planet anyway. I hope others will follow my lead.
38
@Natalie WELL SAID NATALIE!
5
Amen.
4
@Natalie I support your position. However, I doubt you have not bought anything made in China. The global economy means you are never sure where that product has been before it reaches you. If you take any type of medication or supplements, you have probably supported the Chinese economy
1
Yup, the American Way has become more unmistakable than ever before. Who cares about human rights? The almighty dollar is all that matters.
Capitalism has brought great wealth to many in the U.S., but when that’s all that matters, capitalism has to go. We should all be ashamed.
9
I don’t need to even read this article. It was money. The millionaire players and billionaire owners are too attached to their money to let values get in the way. Thank you Daryl Morey for showing us what hypocrites they all are.
13
Disgusting. How can we not support democracy in Hong Kong as opposed to dictatorship of China!
11
Imagine! The comments of one general manager of one basketball team in the U.S.A can bring the ‘great’ Peoples Republic of China to its’ quivering knees. One must question who has real power in this contest of Lilliputians?
13
Because the NBA isn’t making enough $$$ to support one of their own over a communist regime.... shame in the NBA.
12
Money talks. Watch the NBA fold like a tent in the wind when faced with losing the Chinese money spent on merchiendise pre-season tickets and more.
7
I couldn’t be happier
1
Then let them worry about losing American money instead. Boycott NBA and show the world who has the power.
This is the same league that threatened to stop Charlotte from hosting the All-Star game due to North Carolina’s idiotic bathroom bill. China, by contrast, is currently running concentration camps for Muslims. The NBA does not care about human rights. It cares about money. Losing a billion fans in China would have hurt a lot more than losing a few million in North Carolina. What spineless hypocrisy.
17
If a Chinese entity had tweeted "Black lives matter!" in support of Mr Kaepernick, I'm sure many self-styled patriots in the US would be very, very upset.
4
@William Fang A few people who don't matter might have squawked a bit, and then a whole lot of people would have replied "Chinese democracy lives matter!" Along with a picture of Tank Man. And for all that, no one, here, would have the government come knocking.
Get the digference??
3
Would they have insisted that the Chinese entity apologize for “hurting the feelings of the American people” ?
2
No. In fact, no one would even care. Which Chinese entity could be so important to stir anything in the US？?
1
Police brutality under a non-democratic government is acceptable when it’s done by a country stuffing hundreds of millions in your pocket.
The NBA is a bunch of two-faced money-grubbing hypocrites.
9
Universal human rights, Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
And we can have as many children as we choose
2
One of the most depressing aspects of this controversy is how it all seems to come down to the Trump or anti-Trump angle on it.
Have we lost all capacity for independent thought?
3
Thank You Daryl Morey! How I wish more prominent people would stand up for the oppressed. How shocking that your league felt a need to apologize for someone speaking out for justice.
15
The NBA isn't making enough money? It is embarrassing that they were pushed around by China, choosing even more profits over free speech.
One of the things I have liked about the NBA is that they generally allow their players free expression; they have seemed progressive. That image has now been sullied.
7
I think the problem may be the vagueness of the statement “fight for freedom”. It could translate as violent overthrow...which we can see why Chinese would consider that unacceptable coming from an American...even though it wasn’t intended anything like that.
2
How ironic that the NBA didn't care much about having its American stars not playing last month in the World Cup in China (resulting in Team USA finishing in 7th place!), but are very interested in playing meaningless exhibition games there without offending their hosts. Is money more important than playing for your country?
6
NBA did the right thing, for many reasons. First, sports is not supposed to be tainted by politics. The false narratives typically pedaled in the United States about Hong Kong is just that - politics. After 10 months of violent protests, China has not done a thing to repress the protests, and not a single person has died. By comparison, the protests in Iraq against the U.S. backed government has resulted in over 100 deaths. Yet, you don't see the same politics being played on Twitter. Followers of the events in HK know that the protests started as a result of a proposed extradition bill. The bill has already been rescinded, so the protesters pivots to "freedom" as a convenient label, notwithstanding the fact that HK already has freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion and political party. Second, if you bite the hand that feeds you, you will probably not be fed again. if you insult your boss, you'll probably not get a raise from him. These are pretty basic rules of the road in any country. Try insulting our POTUS, and see if he gives you a deal. Daryl Morey can have whatever opinion he wants, but don't expect to insult China and get billions from them at the same time.
5
Of course, the Rockets GM has the right of "free speech", at least in the US.
But it's naïve to think that when we open our mouths there are never consequences. When I worked in the corporate world, I often thought the overpaid senior management was made up of dull toadies without merit - I had the "right" to express myself about this if I wanted, and my employer had the "right" to take action any action they liked to address my insubordination, or disrespect. I kept my mouth shut, and kept my job.
I'm not sure what the GM's intent here was. It's great to offer verbal "support" to a foreign movement, but he had to know, or should have known, that his employer might have a different view. "Free speech" does not mean "no consequence" speech.
Many of the commenters here seem to be applauding the sentiment of the GM, but how many of these same commenters risk their own livelihoods to express personal opinions about hot topics at work?
I didn't think so.
8
The guy stood up to the CCP while billionaires and multi-millionaires bent the knee. That takes courage.
5
If he's so brave, keep the tweet, and tweet more. Courage?? Just a big gossip mouth.
Morey is free to speak his mind on Twitter or wherever he wants, but the Chinese people and Chinese businesses are also free to choose not to do business with his organization if they deem his speech offensive. I don't understand why people are upset about Chinese reaction. Do you expect them to continue as usual after you've insulted them? Free speech does not mean speech free of consequences. You can say whatever you want, but don't be shocked when people don't like your speech and decide to dissociate themselves from you
9
The NBA must adhere strictly to The Center of Everything's (China in Chinese) Social Credit Policy. XI is demanding that all Americans -- indeed everyone in the world -- know their place and bow correctly to The Center. Anything less is intolerable.
5
For the thousandth time: Democracy , liberty, freedom of speech, assembly, religion means NOTHING to capitalists. Profits come first. Capitalists will do business with anyone who will let them make a decent profit, whether it's a dictator, a theocracy, or a supposedly "communist" government. Here is yet another great example of this being the case. At leastTrump has done something about this regarding China, yet all of his supporters and enemies especially those right wing business people and farmers complain that they are losing money and it's bad for business. what happened to their concern for religious freedom(most are christians), liberty. and free speech? They've conveniently forgot about these things, only profits occupy their minds. such hypocrisy from the business community and the Democrats too.
2
@lou andrews also capitalism feeds the world
Certainly does not make me want to attend NBA games -- especially when the Nets are in town!
5
The NBA should get some backbone and call China's bluff. Would the NBA go out of business if China found a way to retaliate? I doubt it - they would just make a tiny bit less money. Put ethics first for a change, will you?
4
The Communist Party chooses its own leadership- the Standing Politburo. The Chinese people do not get to “fight-it-out” like Republicans and Democrats. When it comes to conflicting political views the Party jails the opposition. You can be a common citizen seeking redress for your house being bulldozed. You can be a rights lawyer petitioning for worker’s compensation. You can be Uighur or Tibetan asking for religious rights. The Huston Rockets and the NBA are looking at the money. They don’t see the Hong Kong people fighting life and death for their rights. Daryl Morey accidentally stepped into some quicksand - when money is deep deep deep.
1
with China's horrific human rights issues in Tibet, Hong Kong, and toward Uighur and other minorities, it is time to stand up to tyranny and abuse of power.
If sports figures can protest the American flag, it is high time they spoke up against the biggest abuser of all, China.
Let's all support the man with the courage and vision, Daryl Morey.
5
Fight for freedom! Support Hong Kong people! . Support Daryl Stand up for what is right.
6
As a Knicks fan, I didn't have much to cheer about and now I'm really disgusted with basketball.
4
Proof that money corrupts absolutely - the NBA's response and kowtow to China at the expense of basic human rights of Hong Kongers. Who knew lives could be discarded so cheaply?
What will they sacrifice next to appease Xi? Or worse, to appease Kim, another NBA fan?
Indeed, there is too much kowtowing to villains these days - just look at Republicans kowtowing to money and the trump. I thought the American way was to kowtow to no one!
7
China's Newspeak on Hong Kong is par for the course, I'm afraid, just like the alternate reality that is their "official" economic reporting. The NBA (and James Harden) should be ashamed of pandering to it - if Chinese people want to watch the NBA, then they should get it whole, including its freewheeling culture, or not get it at all. Use your leverage, for heaven's sake. The idea that anyone would compare 9/11 to the Hong Kong protests only demonstrates just how far into outer wacko land the mainland Chinese have been led. We can only hope that Bret Stephens' recent column was correct and the whole rotten Chinese Communist enterprise will collapse under the weight of its rotting value system.
4
This looks like a case of capitalism trumping democracy.
You are what you stand for, and the NBA just revealed what it is.
Quel dommage.
6
NBA, NFL, & MLB are hopelessly greedy.
They've sold their soul to the TV networks, streaming networks, Nike, and Fanatics.
3
Our God is money. People are simply fodder and many will be ground up in the machine that is our economy. Morality must be checked when it runs up against money.
2
Be real. NBA doesn’t love China. NBA loves the money it can make in China, even more so than America’s core values of freedom and democracy. This is pathetic. NBA’s commissioner should apologize to Americans and resign.
4
It is long past time to disentangle ourselves from China and hope that the horror we funded can still be beaten.
4
Its comical to see all these people in Washington call out the NBA, when they have been silent as the people of HK struggle for freedom and simple rights.
5
When I saw the title, I figured “this seems like a lot of words to describe the reason,” which is quite obviously “money.”
4
Helping China save face over its atrocities in Hong Kong flies in the face of democracy and free speech. The NBA should be ashamed that it put profits before the principles that America stands for. No thanks, comrades.
4
Always. Follow. The. Money.
2
So Donald Sterling can get fired because of free speech about insulting black people, but Morey can't get fired because of insulting Chinese sovereignty? That's not double standard?
Let me be very clear, NO ONE in the USA gives a rip about Chinese Sovereignty! We would love to see the CCP fall tomorrow!
1
@Yu
So there is a difference. One man was a racist and the other simply expressed support for freedom. Hardly comparable. Not to mention I would love to see your mental gymnastics to explain how Morey insulted anyone.
1
It's not just Hong Kong. The Communist government run by Han Chinese is racist against other ethnic groups in China, most notably the Uighurs, whom they are rounding up for "reeducation," which is a euphemism for incarceration.
5
The take away: NBA, appreciate the freedom of expression such as kneeling during the National Anthem. In China, you'd be minus them.
1
So lets fight for democracy..... the democracy that elected Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. Shall we?
This is merely a reminder that the N.B.A., at its core, is just another corporate business. As with any corporation, if you don't like that it is kissing Xi Jinping's you-know-what (and I most certainly don't!), then organize a boycott of its products and let Silver & Co., as well as the Players Association, hear about it.
4
Really, though, is this any surprise? After all, Trump told Chinese leaders he would remain silent on the Hong Kong protesters while negotiations were ongoing over his trade war.
The United States was once the leader of the free world and the defender of democracy. Today it is the leader of the free market and the defender of capitalism.
So much for American ideals.
13
Many people are saying that the Trump administration pressured Adam Silver and the NBA to apologize for comments regarding Hong Kong protests to mirror the commitment made by President Trump to not speak about about abuses in Hong Kong while trade talks are ongoing.
1
Free speech means that the government won't do anything bad to you based on your speech. It doesn't mean you're entitled to fans or corporate sponsors. Nothing in this article suggests that the Chinese government threatened or punished the NBA; instead, they chose to apologize in order not to offend Chinese fans and sponsors. This is no different from how many fans and sponsors cut their deals with Colin Kaepernick after his protest. The only violation of freedom of speech here is our government leaders attacking the NBA's apology.
3
@HO
It’s obscene. American people stand with Hong Kong not merely money like the pathetic NBA.
1
Joseph Tsai is owner of the Nets. He is also executive vice chairman of Alibaba, the largest Chinese company, and is a Communist Party member.
10
@Jay Lincoln
Joseph Tsai is Taiwanese...
@Jay Lincoln Thanks for letting us know, now we can boycott the Nets.
4
Many millions of Taiwanese are anti-China and side with Hong Kong, sending them gas masks and offering asylum.
1
Is Daryl Morey woke or just dumb? Great sentiment, but bad for business. Don't know the guy, but my guess is that he had no idea what he was advocating, especially when you see his follow up tweet. I suppose the next question is what does Dennis Rodman think?
2
Freedom of expression is one of our founding pillars of our culture. Forego the dollars. It is not worth the cost in the long run. Short-term profits are not worth the cost of selling this right. This exemplifies how freedom can slowly erode. What about those fighting for the principles we value?
7
American capitalism goes hand in hand with Chinese authoritarianism. It is only our democracy that makes our system better and our democratic impulses are fading. Here’s to Daryl Morey for a brief hiccup of sanity.
6
James Harden did exactly what needed to be done. No wonder I admire him so and Westbrook and Gordon as well.
Thank you James Harden. There is leadership and decency.
3
Don’t you believe in defending democratic values?
2
The NBA is a crony socialist system that benefits no one but the owners, stockholders and players. All the stadiums used for professional basketball were paid for by US taxpayers. The billionaire owners are too crooked and fraudulent to build their own stadiums, That’s blatant theft from you and me.
9
What’s clever here is that the Beijing Communist have co-opted rhetoric around verbal violence and offence. We in the West try to speak without offending anybody. So when someone calls them out on their human rights abuses, they claim to be “offended” emotionally.
11
People are surprised that a major professional sports league place profits over principles? Please.
5
Ethics, integrity, democracy, freedom - all cherished values once now bow down to ultimate value in the world - MONEY....
3
If Mr. Morey loses his job for supporting basic human rights, then American corporations have officially jumped the shark.
5
I refuse to watch another NBA game, ever.
12
@Charlie Chan I quit years ago Charlie... It's quite alright, no loss, more time to do something interesting. I wasn't quite so dramatic about it.
art
2
The “why” in the headline is easily answered. The NBA owners want money. Less easily answered is why human rights and freedom are so easily cast aside.
3
Southpark nailed this issue in last Wednesday's episode.
4
I still recall the time when Donald Sterling -- he of the Los Angeles Clippers -- was banned by the NBA and robbed of his team for the heinous crime of being overheard on his cellphone saying stupid things to his girlfriend.
The N.B.A.’s strong suit isn’t freedom and politics, it’s money and TV and 30 foot jump shots.
5
He was saying racist things as the owner of an NBA team. You don’t see the difference between that and “stupid things?”
2
“American pigs” says it all. I recall reading that Jiang Zemin, did a little dance at the time of 911. Naturally that is apocryphal;however, the Power Elite of China have no constraints other than their peers on their governing style, Trump on steroids. China remains an existential threat to Western Civilization and the Enlightenment. We may disdain or Power Elite, best of luck in their system.
3
When the author said 'hair-trigger tolerance', he shown his arrogance.
Territorial integrity and social security is very very important to all Chinese. In China, people don't need to be fear of being shot or attacked when they go out. But this is not the case right now in Hong Kong because of those rioters, who attacked police men and other Hongkongese. One 60 years old man just wanted to take a flight to mainland China to attend a meeting, but those rioters didn't allow him to take the flight and punched him to the hospital (This will never be reported in US newspaper). As a Chinese, we hate those rioters because they hurt our friends and families.
From an American ideology, rioters in China are called 'fighting for freedom', rioter like Bin Laden
are called terrorist. The only difference is Bin Laden hurt Americans and those Hong Kong rioters hurt Chinese. That's how double standard exist. Americans are influenced and controlled my US media and they don't even notice that. Quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe :" None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free".
But as general manager of Houston Rocket, Daryl Morey can express his opinion on Hong Kong rioters privately, but not on Tweet. If you want to do business with a Country, you should respect the people in that Country first. We can not do much on Daryl's comments, but we can vote by our feet.
8
@Eric Wumao: So many false equivalent arguments, where to start. 1. Mainland chinese cannot even access twitter. They must use a VPN or foreign residency that respects free speech to even see what he wrote. 2. A majority of Hong Kong protesters are not rioters nor violent. But if you only get your news from CCP state-run media, I'm sure that's what you believe. Hong Kongers are ethnic Chinese that are entitled to rule of law, independent judiciary. They have objectives. They're in local government. Your comparison to bin laden terrorists are simply lazy copy and paste talking points.
Is there no sense of irony, that you have all these democratic rights living in New York, accessing websites banned in china, posting sensitive topics censored by china, while the billions are denied those same rights living in PRC? Freedom for you but not for them eh?
6
Over 1 million Uighurs are locked up in state concentration camps in Xinjiang because of their religious and cultural identity. Peaceful Chinese activists, pastors, imams, and ordinary folks disappear only later to be found locked up in a state prison. Political enemies of Xi or his allies wind up falling into corruption scandals.
The Hong Kongers don’t want to be under the threat of prison time for voicing their opinions.
Oh, and yes, America has problems. The difference is that we openly debate our problems to solve them and don’t create more problems by throwing dissenters into prison. The security and peace you experience now is at the expense of your imprisoned and tortured neighbor.
5
@Eric
no recommendation, my fault.
I understand a country wanting to protect it’s own interests, but iron-handed censorship like this only tarnishes China’s international reputation.
Only totalitarian governments try to silence speech outside their own borders. Americans are rightfully disgusted.
6
Who will we apologize to when the streets of Hong Kong run red with the blood of protesters?
4
The same people you apologized to when the streets of Cairo ran red with the blood of protesters there, before you went ahead and sold the regime there more guns!!!
1
our founding fathers were "separatists"
6
An important reminder that Corporate America Is completely about and only about money.
If being “woke” means greater profit, then they are “woke”. If staying quiet about oppression and repression means greater profit, then they stay quiet. Enterprises like Nike, the NFL, or the NBA are laughable when they stray out of their respective lanes.
It’s time for corporate America to get off their moral high horse, and stay focused on quietly tending to their businesses.
4
The NBA is not just responding to Chinese authority's response. They are more concerned about the negative reaction of their potential fan base. Most Mainland Chinese and older Hong Kongers are not sympathetic towards the direction that HK protest is heading but they get beat up if they voice their opposition( see today NYT article), and they are already suspicious that the US is providing financial and other forms of support to the protesters ( the same way they were supporting protesters in Egypt, Libya, and even Syria). So the Daryl Morey, the Rocket's General Manager basically put his foot in the mouth. May be he and others who want to do business in China should buy a book, or take a class in Chinese history.
6
This reminds me an incident on September 17, 2001, Bill Maher said something politically incorrect about 9/11 on an ABC program called, well, "Politically Incorrect". Advertisers started pulling their sponsorships, and the show was cancelled in a few months.
4
@zb26 It's quite different actually. The pressure from China comes directly from the government. A group of people calling themselves communist have organized an authoritarian govenrmrnt whereby they can control the population via their own police force and judiciary and enrich themselves. If someone protests this government arrangement, they disappear.
Not even close. Drop the false equivalencies, Chairman Mao.
6
@zb26 That’s how double standard exists.
This event shows exactly why China is a true threat to the free world and civilization. Most westerners may feel hard to understand why so many people, companies, and even a sport organization in China overreact like that. Well, in China no one and nothing could escape the hands of the Party. And the Party rules by obscurantism and fear. This has been getting much worse recently. Even for people who privately have some other thoughts, only by overreacting against the Rockets publicly, the more hysterical the better, would they feel safe with the Party. The spirit of sports? Freedom? Nothing matters other than showing loyalty to the Party! I strongly recommend George Soros' 2019 Davos speech to everyone. We should all listen to the warning from an old man who had gone through the Nazi years.
41
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
2
@Michael Chow One could say that to the thousands of communist chinese living in the US taking advantage of money laundering loopholes and LLCs buying up real estate while supporting totalitarian regimes.
1
Don’t feed the hand that bites you. Go Hong Kong!
3
Hey NBA, if you're listening -- you just lost a lifelong fan. Shame on you for bending the knee. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.
20
This really shows where the values are. Its the $$$ not the democracy that counts. If you can make a buck then you keep your mouth shut. But of course, we are losing our right to criticize anyone, we are the leading country to go to war, invade and occupy, break agreements (Kurds) , help dictators, Saudi Arabia and Russia; support corrupt leaders (Netanyahu) and generally do what ever to make $$.
6
The Chinese have very thin skin - at least he didn’t make a joke about the price of pork (you would have to be a reader of the financial times to understand my comment)
8
Stop patronizing the totalitarian dictatorship of China. Have some integrity!
24
The NBA must be clear we have freedom of speech here and the players need to be very clear they will not give way to pressure. This struggle matters.
Besides the freedom struggle in Hong Kong, we have the horrific plight of minorities in China, not least the Uighur in concentration camps. To ignore this crisis is to become complicit.
9
@rabbit So Donald Sterling can get fired because of free speech about insulting black people, but Morey can't get fired because of insulting Chinese sovereignty? That's not double standard?
@Yu
I don't think you understand what the word insult means. Supporting the oppressed in Hong Kong isn't an isn't an insult.
The NBA has zero guts and it's all about the money. Parker and Stone, the creators of South Park, aired an episode highlighting China's human rights abuses and censorship. China disliked it so much that China censored all past episodes and every mention of South Park in China. Parker and Stone's response: unprintable and unyielding.
23
NBA does not need China, China needs NBA.
12
"That inflamed fans back home, where the protesters are generally seen as pro-democracy fighters battling a repressive government. "
"Generally seen"? Really, NYTimes? They ARE pro-democracy fighters. Stop equivocating.
11
Kowtowing to money is really so unappealing.......kowtowing to a repressive government in order to MAKE money, is really really really disgusting. I have zero empathy for anyone doing business in China who gets burned. If one is greedy enough to get in bed with the Chinese because one craves all that new money they have, then that person deserves whatever happens, whether having your technology stolen by your Chinese ‘business partner’, or having to kowtow to an institution well known for its human rights abuses and misogyny. The NBA has made it abundantly clear that they co-sign China’s authoritarianism. And that’s just GROSS!!
11
Did the Times seek comment for this article from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver? I’d be very curious as to what he had to say regarding the statement issued by the league, as well as Silver’s reaction to the backlash here in the U.S. I find it odd that the Times would not seek to query Silver. (I assume the paper did not, since even if the Tines were stonewalled for a comment by the NBA, there would have been the obligatory statement: “The Times reached out for comment from Silver but had not yet heard back,” etc, etc.)
5
It's about unity. Just as the US might be united under the banner of democracy, pretty much under all circumstances, Chinese, at the least those whose memories of China's history over the past 100 years is still fresh, are united under its sovereignty. For anyone to disregard or disrespect China's sovereignty, they are simply outright condoning the fracturing and seditious acts of another nation. The reaction from China and those above mentioned Chinese is absolutely justified.
1
@LiChinglong
Let’s see here. How about a look at some of the more famous unity-building movements enacted through the sovereignty of the Chinese Communist Party:
The Hundred Flowers Campaign (1956-1957)
The Anti-Rightist Movement (1957-1959)
The Great Leap Forward (1958-1960)
The Socialist Education Movement (1963-1966)
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)
The Down to the Countryside Movement (1968-1978)
Millions dead. Millions injured, imprisoned, repressed.
Hong Kongers are absolutely justified in their reaction to the history that is soft-pedaled, distorted, and denied on the Mainland under the sovereignty of the Chinese Communist/Capitalist Party.
11
@LiChinglong There's no such thing as a "reaction from china", if it is literally against the law to publicly post subversive content in that totalitarian country. From now on, any time you see "reaction from China", it's a type of reaction that publicly passed the communist censors that the communist party agrees with, lest they get a knock on the door from government officials to "disappear".
3
@Paul Connah
The amazing thing is that even after all past horrible events, the entire population is still unified. They are unified in their suffering as in their prosperity.
Given his behavior during the past week, I find it fascinating that Marco Rubio has the guts to criticize the NBA for scolding a manager who stood up for human rights & democratic principles. It seems a grand demonstration of hypocrisy by Marco Rubio who, in my opinion, is no better than the NBA when it comes to defending democracy. Marco Rubio lacks the sense, courage & integrity to stand against Donald Trump's invitations (or threats) to Ukraine & China urging "investigations" (smear campaigns) against his 2020 election opponents. Apparently, Donald Trump fears that he cannot win the 2020 election without foreign interference. Sadly, Marco Rubio and his cohorts in the Senate also seem to possess that fear, and they don't seem to care what it takes to get their "hero" across the line in 2020. They don't appear to care how much Donald Trump's aberrant and illegal behavior jeopardizes the integrity of our election process, threatens our national security, & weakens our standing in the world. They stand silent while Donald Trump openly & admittedly seeks foreign aid in the 2020 election, in violation of our laws & in opposition to basic principles of decency and democracy. Give us a break Senator Rubio! You are NO BETTER than the NBA when it comes to standing up for democracy & demonstrating courage and integrity. The NBA, of course, is merely a business enterprise. You, sir, are a United States Senator. Either show the requisite courage for your position or kindly step down.
12
@Jan Democracy. Period.
1
Is it the National Basketball Association or the International Basketball Association? I get confused sometimes. Except for a handful of exhibition games, our teams play their games in America, not in Hong Kong or Korea or Mexico. The owners should focus on the fan base here and not so much on the dollars that they earn overseas. How much money is enough, anyway?
5
It is scary how many Americans and American businesses are being intimidated by China. Do we think so little of ourselves, our economic system, and our values that we think we must kowtow to China to save ourselves? I thought we believed Communism and dictatorships in general were inherently fatally flawed and would eventually succumb to individual freedom and capitalism. Instead we act like we have to change our values to accomodate this Communist dictatorship. Why doesn't the NBA believe in America?
20
I take umbrage with our politicians on both sides for hypocrisy as far as taking the NBA to task for trying to protect its business interests. The politicians in this country seldom act in the interests of their constituents, but rather in enriching themselves while in office
1
The groveling NBA executives remind me of Congressional Republicans who having crossed Emperor Trump are scrambling to get back into his grace. The NBA should hire Lindsey Graham to run its show. He knows how to do this.
We live in an age where the rule of money and power is absolute. Morality and ethics have disappeared from the scene.
6
"Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong" - great tweet
Oh wait, that interfered with profits for the NBA. Better to monetize the NBA than have democracy, freedoms and no repressive governments.
9
The NBA (and Facebook, and many other American corporations) do not need the Chinese market to stave of some competitor. Their businesses are not at risk if they are not in the Chinese market.
This is what excessive greed looks like. Elites used to understand that concept - excessive greed. Not any longer. No amount of money is too much, no price on your ethics or morals is too high - just go after the cash.
11
Do they still play the National anthem at every NBA game, or are they too busy counting the box office receipts?
5
Do you think any of the fans of the NBA in China had a problem with the tweet supporting Hong Kong protests? Big business needs to stop supporting totalitarian regimes in order to do business there. It's not like the Chinese can just drop the NBA and go to another "service provider."
7
“Why the N.B.A. Apologized to China Over Daryl Morey’s Tweet About Hong Kong”
Because money is more important than democracy. Welcome to the age of Trump.
5
I'd like to voice my support for the Hong Kong protesters and my disapproval of the NBA's greed.
12
Didn't Morey known that when it comes to money democracy takes a back seat and may not even get to ride in the car?
2
By freedom loving, Americans really meant that they want to talk rubbish and insult other countries as freely as they want. Nothing more.
1
@Cristina Pocket Aces
Not so. Some Americans still cherish the Constitution's Bill of Rights which is the true source of the freedoms we have. Whereas, the NBA cherishes money and political correctness above all, certainly above freedom of speech, as it emphatically demonstrated in the case of Donald Stirling.
6
Money before human rights
Nice one NBA
Not that I’m a fan, but I certainly have no inclination now
5
We all support HK, but the NBA, it seems.
6
Despicable political correctness is the preeminent value of the NBA. The NBA has demonstrated that it has contempt for freedom of speech and is willing to punish those who exercise it in violation of political correctness (remember Donald Stirling).
So, why is anyone surprised that the NBA kowtows to China's dictatorship and forces Chinese political correctness on Americans doing NBA business in China?
4
Players speak out on everything. They should speak out for HK.
7
Time to turn off and tune out the NBA and the NFL,
5
Why the NBA kowtowed to China? Is that a real question? Money and markets is why the NBA treats J X Peng like he's the last Han emperor.
3
The NBA. Money first, honor second - yet another corrupt morally bankrupt billionaires club.
8
Pathetic.
Funny how all these corporations' half-hearted mouthings toward progressivism fly out the window as soon as Chinese money is involved. In the last three or four days, the NBA, Blizzard, and Apple have all swallowed their tongues on Hong Kong.
If anyone was still curious about why corporations cannot be trusted to be moral or ethical actors when left to their own devices, hopefully if nothing else this illustrates that point.
7
In Hong Kong, it's 1775.
3
The Chinese are brain brain-washed by state-run television to see the Hong Kong protesters as "violent rioters." They will not tolerate any other characterization because that is all they hear and see.
Scary thought, huh?
10
@Joseph Dugan It's scary that those who have been brain washed by the western media think that it is others who have been brain washed.
I live in Southern California and have been following the events in Hong Kong via the Hong Kong TVB news. The reports and videos show the rioters all dressed in black, wearing masks to cover their faces so that the police cannot identify them, threw firebombs at the police, destroyed subway stations, used metal rods to attack the police. They also attacked TVB reporters because they think TBV is biased.
These are the people the western media have universally called "pro democracy protesters."
2
@Michael Chow Why don't you look up Reporters Without Borders annual listing and see where Hong Kong ranks? TVB is their mainstream media, and is influenced by the communist party. A vast majority of protesters have NOT resorted to violence. And the whole impetus behind the movement was Mainland's violation of the 2-system joint declaration. Convenient to leave that part out. And how convenient of you to live in Souther California. If you lived in Hong Kong, you'd be wearing a mask there too since the accused there don't have the same rights and legal recourse as you do in Southern California.
@Michael Chow Sorry, but TVB is like the rest of the Hong Kong media - afraid of repercussions from the mainland, and more than keen to do Beijing's bidding. I lived in Hong Kong during the 2000s and up until the mainland bailed out Hong Kong after SARS (by issuing "shopping visas" to upper and upper-middle class mainlanders) the Hong Kong media was much less timid. I remember the South China Morning Post used to always refer to the "Tiananmen Square Massacre." In 2004, it suddenly became the "Tiananmen Square Incident." I would take what you've seen on TVB with a giant grain of salt.
From the "bread and circuses" of Nero to today, sport has largely been the domain of right-wingers, oligarchs and hegemons.
The NBA has a progressive and outspoken array of players, coaches and GMs who are willing to speak out, but this episode shows that the bent of this "league" (association of billionaire-owners) is repressive.
5
@JD in TN
"The NBA has a progressive and outspoken array of players [...]"
... but at least one "company man," as we see.
1
I support the NBA's push for social justice and progressive thinking. To me they are the leaders in American sports league in this area and I wish all leagues could be like them.
But to ignore China's human rights abuses, makes all of their past progressive stances hypocritical to me now. Once money enters the equation, they immediately shut down and dissuade discourse on a critical matter.
Arguably worldwide, the greatest social justice issues are taking place in China. Just consider if Trump were to round up all Muslim American citizens and throw them into concentration camps to have them "re-educated" in patriotism. I'm imaging the protests that resulted during the Muslim Ban protest multiplied by 1000 in intensity as a response. Not even the GOP would stand with him in that instance.
And yet this is just ONE of the countless abuses going on in this nation. This in addition to a dystopian level of social order and control, to where literally historical facts are censored and forbidden to be addressed.
I am completely dismayed by the arguments I see in the comments such as "other nations organize themselves as they see fit". No that is false. Just as a nation cannot be allowed to round up millions of people for slaughter as occurred in the 1940s, no nation has the right to round up millions now and forcibly prevent them from practicing religion. No country has a right to forcibly prevent freedom of information.
Why are we doing business with nations like this?
19
@Michael Great comment.
The Chinese Communist Party should always be condemned, but the question is whether the NBA has the responsibility to do it. It is a business, so it can do as it wishes. As for criticizing Trump, that is much more popular, so it won't affect the NBA's bottom line.
3
I guess money speaks much louder than morality and principles.
10
I can't imagine the US or US consumers punishing Chinese companies due to their rejection of, say, our classism, racism, or sexism. We would shrug and continue doing business with them.
The fact is that, in addition to being as corrupt as Russia, China is a bully that demands that everyone see the world as it sees it--Taiwan, S China Sea, Hong Kong--or it will unilaterally shut out the offending party and its goods and services. It might be Marriott's listing of Taiwan as a country, Australian imports, or the entire NBA.
Companies trying to trade with China must overcome their greed and discount the arrangement by these interruptions in business caused, not by the companies, but by the petulant, thin-skinned Chinese.
Before Trump caves into the Chinese and nonChinese financial and pharmaceutical interests, maybe we should give the con man credit for finally taking the Chinese to task. Looks like that's the right approach to the Chinese. Trouble is, they are on a very long con, and our guy lacks the stamina and attention for more than a short con. Too bad.
10
@maqroll Stamina? Did you mean support?
This has been a pattern of U.S. corporate behavior for some time. Google was very active during the ‘Arab Spring’ in Egypt and Syria, with senior employees visiting the White House dozens of times.
But with Hong Kong, not so much, and it isn’t hard to wonder why.
3
@J House But also, the Arab Spring didn't turn out too well, did it? I'd say it's arguable that life in most of the affected countries is much worse today than it was before...
Let them play ball. Save your moralizing for something else. We and the Chinese love Basketball, is that not enough. What is the Rockets stance on Afghanistan, Russia, Uyghurs, Congo, Rohingyas, or any other troubled place or peoples. If you do not agree with their stance are you going to stop watching. What about the NFL, or NHL. Let's get everybody on the record.
2
‘back home, where the protesters are generally seen as pro-democracy fighters battling a repressive government. ‘
This statement is not true.
Not even close. This is the opinion of the writer and his echo chamber of Liberals.
2
I don't know which is worse, the Chinese Communist Party which allows its people no freedoms, or the money-grubbing companies (NBA, Daimler, Gap, Google, Apple, etc.) who help the Communist government by falling in line with its policies.
The brave people of Hong Kong are being hung out to dry by these organizations, and by our own government. We used to fight for values, now it's nothing but all money all the time.
20
This what BOTH China and Donald Trump want - the triumph of wealth and power over freedom. RESIST!!!
5
Cause it’s totally all about the “Benjamins” (or in this case the “Grandpa Mao’s”). Next the NBA will insist that the concentration camps are really NBA player development facilities for tall Uighurs.
3
Good for Morey and the NBA ought to find the best neurosurgeon in the work and get a spine implant!
1
It seems nowadays you only need to yell "freedom", "democracy" or any other lefty slogans, you will be automatically welcome by the democratic politicians and praised by the left media such as NYTimes. Unfortunately the ideology has become so rigid that it can be easily manipulated by groups with different intentions. For various reasons they join the banner to win support, yet their only purpose was just to benefit themselves in a selfish sense. Leadership including Nancy Pelosi has been way of touch of reality, and should be gone long time ago. Because if this manner persists, good people will eventually leave the democratic party and all it is left with is a bunch of crooks and hypocrites.
2
There is only *one* NBA. There is nothing like it in the PRC, yet the NBA now wants to bend over backwards to please these people.
Don't these people know their own value and do they stand for anything other than a profit?!
4
The NBA is a joke. Real people are being persecuted by an authoritarian government for the simple desire to be free to elect their own representative government. Apparently the only thing that matters to the NBA is Chinese $$$. This isn't just sad, it's borderline criminal. Adam Silver should be ashamed. James Harden should be ashamed. I am boycotting all NBA games for the 2020 season.
11
Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong.
15
Shame on the NBA for caving so fast.
4
$$$ over human rights. Great moral cowardice from the NBA.
I guess only our soldiers are the ones to sacrifice for freedom.
Hang a dollar bill in front of an NBA executive, then out goes their own value system.
The US should swing back hard and completely boycott the Nets.
Fight fire with fire.
Rob
1
It is clear the "NBA cares" … about its Chinese fans more than its American ones. As an American, seeing the NBA fall all over itself apologizing for a pro democracy tweet makes me want to vomit. This makes the NFL's bungling of the Kaepernick saga seem like child's play. Is Morey going to be blackballed now when he tries to get another job? This whole thing is disgusting.
5
How about our government taking a stand? Where is the outrage? Our president will stay silent if he gets a trade deal. An ugly and sad decision. Hey NBA, get out of China until it respects human rights. What company can turn a blind eye to the horrors the Chinese government inflicts on its people? Many it seems. They all should be ashamed.
4
Suffice to say that no one will be allowed to kneel during the Chinese National Anthem.
10
Greed will destroy the planet.
The NBA should tell China to shove it and cancel all contracts and televised NBA events in China.
While the planet faces mass extinctions everyone is mesmerized by the size of the Chinese ‘market’.
4
Especially when compared to a league like the NFL, the NBA has always been at the forefront of social issues within the U.S., one reason why many young people are gravitating towards basketball. The clampdown on Morey's tweet shows that the NBA, like countless other companies and organizations, is too afraid of losing Chinese profits to allow for free speech on an issue like Hong Kong. How is it ok for Enes Kanter to speak out against Erdogan but Morey is not allowed to support pro-democracy protests?
12
@Daniel Rohrbacker Excellent point, one I hadn't thought of, but, obviously, it's b/c Turkey isn't a large market for the NBA the way China is.
3
Where do you stand NBA - on the right side of history or the side of greed and richness? On the side of democracy and freedom or authoritarianism?
Do you need reminding about the ancestors and history of a majority of your players?
8
This issue is about American values. You can debate whether Daryl Morey's support of the democratic Hong Kong protesters is right. What you cannot debate is his right as an American citizen to free speech. The NBA put profits above democracy this weekend.
18
Organizations based in the USA and stemming from an American sport should support the principles of democracy that America was founded on. It’s disgraceful that the NBA would hesitate. Money really does run the world. Not ideals. Not the promise of freedom. Let’s remember that when mainland China crushes the Hong Kong resistance. The people don’t count, just the potential profit.
7
As usual, the cartels of sports are more interested in making money than anything else. in the world. Owned by millionaires and billionaires, it's all about the money. What else is new?
3
The Chinese have no problem criticizing the policies of other nations but cannot tolerate anyone criticizing their own policies. Can’t have it both ways...
11
Apparently, they can!
1
Had a long discussion with a friend from mainland China. We are completely misunderstanding how the mainland Chinese interpret the Hong Kong protests, because we dismiss it all as propaganda.
Hong Kong was the result of 8 Western powers ganging up on China during the Opium Wars. We in the West don't consider that long ago past relevant, when discussing democracy and freedom now.
But look at it from this perspective: China is like the husband beaten up by a gang of 8, and had to watch while his wife got gang raped and then taken away. The husband trained hard for years and somehow got his wife back, but she changed. We tell the husband since he cannot satisfy his wife like how the gang of 8 could, he should give her freedom. The husband gets enraged and shouts for us to mind our own business.
From that perspective, we can begin to understand the mainland Chinese feelings of rage and disgust. If that is how the mainland Chinese are emotionally connecting to the Hong Kong protest, then the overriding emotion being felt is "humiliation" and "betrayal".
So many of us have somehow lost the ability to view the world from another perspective that conflicts with our own. It is so easy to dismiss as propaganda and fake news what we do not agree with.
And here we are, thinking that the common Chinese people will embrace democracy and freedom if they could just hear us through that CCP firewall. They heard us. We are just clueless on how we are humiliating them.
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@Schwanish
I understand their perspective but I think they are not realistic or able to see from the point of view of HKers. They expected HKers to be thrilled to be reunited with the motherland but they most certainly are not. They are terrified and defiant. Mainlanders cannot comprehend this. For mainlanders national pride is also frequently personal pride but HKers have enjoyed a free press, free speech, individualism, British common law etc for generations. Mainland chinese do not know what it feels like to have these cherished freedoms taken away from you because they have never experienced them.
12
@Schwanish While there is a smidgen of historic facts in your comment, it is also very misleading. During the time of the Opium War, Hong Kong was a quiet fishing village and was used by the British as a shipping/military outpost. So it is really more like an unimportant slave within the China household rather than the cherished wife. So after China was beaten up as you put it, it gave the slave to Britain (not all 8) for 99 years of service. Along the way, the China master became more cruel and authoritarian. At the end of the 99 years of service, the British gave the servant back as agreed but made China promised that the slave should enjoy the same freedom as under British rule and the master will not exercise its cruelty and authoritarianism onto the slave like its other 'mainland' slaves. However, the master cannot stop its authoritarian tendency to seep into his everyday actions. So the slave is now protesting the loss of his freedom and the unfair treatment by its master.
3
@Schwanish If a country doesn't want to be dismissed as a totalitarian dictatorship, maybe they should stop 1. stop buying thousands of fake social media accounts to spread propaganda 2. tear down their firewall and let their own citizens access the internet as freely as you and I 3. allow freedom of press 4. and stop jailing human rights lawyers. 5. allow international human rights observers to access the concentration camp full of Uighurs
I'm sorry but you were fed a selected slice of history that completely ignores the point of the Hong Kong protests. First of all they don't even speak the same language. Second, most Mainland chinese do not have access to news outside their state-run media. So no they are not "hearing" us. I'm sure their cyber-army's working overtime to combat the evil western fake news though, even though their press freedom index is right next to North Korea's.
And no, the Hong Kong protests do not effect the average working class chinese one iota. They're more worried about the price of pork and whether their son will find a wife in a country of 40 million excess bachelors.
1
Makes perfect sense.
China and the NBA are a match made in heaven.
On the one hand, you have a society that cheaply produces overpriced sneakers; and on the other hand, there's a fanbase full of conspicuous consumers.
4
If GM of Rockets likes politics so much, he should resign from GM job and free to pursue his dream. Don't subject the league to this kind of poisonous demagoguery.
3
@S. C. Using your constitutionally protected right to free speech to support pro-democracy protests is "poisonous demagoguery"? Real nice, Emmanuel Goldstein.
5
The issue is one of principle, spelled M-O-N-E-Y.
The issue is one of conscience, spelled M-O-N-E-Y.
The issue is one of truth, spelled M-O-N-E-Y.
1
Why would anyone be surprised at a US professional sports league selling its soul by refusing to take a principled stand for “American values” when there are American dollars at stake?
3
So pitiful I don't even know what to say.Maybe Harden should play in China?I prefer democracy and to stand with those willing to fight for it.The true freedom fighters in Hong Kong deserve this country support. The NBA can kick rocks. They are very easy to replace!
4
The Republicans are, predictably, up in arms about the NBA doing business in China while their Senate leader has connections to the actual oppressors through his in-laws. Their outrage is always selective and hypocritical. And you know the PGA would do the same, and the GOP would say nothing.
As always the NBA is clueless when it comes to morals especially when it comes to profit. Remember Kobe anyone?
5
Outrageous! The NBA is exhibiting as much backbone as the Republican Senate. Anything for a dollar it appears.
4
I would like to request that the author/editor include a link to the full statement released by the Brookyln Nets owner, Joseph Tsai. I feel it offers a valuable perspective on China-NBA relations and the Times does Mr. Tsai (and us readers) a disservice in only selectively summarising his words. Similarly, I find it uncharitable that the author lumps Mr. Tsai together with the deluded online comment in the paragraph immediately after.
As a long-time NBA fan and Asian-Australian, I was heartened when Mr. Tsai sought ownership of the Nets. The Tsai's are icons of Taiwanese-American success, and I've long admired the philanthropic and public advocacy work he and his wife, Clara Wu Tsai, do.
Mr. and Mrs. Tsai have funded research centres at their alma maters (Yale, Stanford); Clara also sits on the boards of other academic institutions. Joseph is a former varsity lacrosse player and lifelong advocate for the sport. Clara is a founding partner of the Reform Alliance, a social justice group which aims to "[change] the laws, policies, and practises that perpetuate injustice [in the criminal justice system]."
Please at least do Mr. Tsai the courtesy of linking to his full statement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Tsai
https://reformalliance.com/partners/#clarawutsai
2
@James I read Mr. Tsai's comments and I find it more nauseating than what's was portrayed in NYT. Here's my response to it:
I see here, an attempt to gaslight American sports fans, and to justify authoritarianism. The Hong Kong protesters are not demanding a separate nation. They want China to adhere to its promise of "1 country 2 system," the terms that China agreed to when Hong Kong revert it but has worked to erode over time. And No, being humiliated as a Nation does not justify police walking away while armed thugs beat unarmed protesters. It does not justify "reeducation camps," religious nor political prisoners. This person had the fortune to be educated at Yale. It goes to show intelligence may correlate with wealth - but here is a clear example that it does not correlate with honesty nor moral courage.
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@Tim This is a great comment. As a citizen of Taiwan, it would also be nice if he opposed the bullying by Beijing of Taiwan and any companies wishing to do business with it. As someone else has said, “it’s all about the Benjamins”.
1
“Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong.” He quickly deleted the tweet, but the damage was done.When people makes comments about Hong Kong, are they hypocrite or ignorant ( include the young protesters ) of the Chinese and Hong Kong history ?
1. Up to 80% US Chinese immigrants in the 19th century were from Taishan city west of Hong Kong. They accounted for 90% of the railroad workers to complete western part of the transcontinental railroad in 1865-1869. When the economy headed south in 1880's, US passed the Chinese Exclusion Act 1882. Hundreds of Chinese were either being killed, lynched or forced out of Chinatown. They were banned from immigration for next seventy years.
2. Mr. Warren Delano who was the grandfather of two presidents in Roosevelt's family. He was the second largest illegal opium trader after Great Britain in 1800 in China. Mr. Delano went to Canton China twice at age of 24 and 48 for the opium trade. The second time, he stayed in Rose Hill Victoria Hong Kong for 5 years.
Suggest book to read by James Bradley, ( His father John Bradley was one of the soldiers in the iconic photo who hold the American flag in Iwo Jima Japan WWII l945 )title, " The China Mirage-The Hidden History of American Disaster in Asia " ..
4
It’s all about the benjamins
1
@Jay That's a correct description. It should not be the case.
2
Rubio has a lot of nerve complaining about the NBA and China and being"woke". When he is a defender of Trump and his policies of immigrant child abuse and separation from their parents, a dumb trade war that is weakening our economy and Trump's traitorous dealings with Putin and his Russian Oligarchs. Not mention the Trump Ukraine call. Rubio might want to "wake up" to the crooked president in the WH he is defending
1
Corporations always throw human rights under the bus on the road to increasing profits.
2
Because it is all about the money. If anyone thinks they can push China around without having a carrot and a backbone they are crazy.
Maybe the NBA was just "kidding," Marco Rubio. Trying to provoke the press into a reaction.
It won't be long until enough world-wide industries have "hurt the feelings of the Chinese people" that the only entertainment allowed in China will be Uncle Xi's silly military parades.
6
I hope players bring black umbrellas to games. We must stand in solidarity with Hong Kongers against brutal authoritarianism.
9
I am in the world of anti-war advocates. It's a motley group of lefties, libertarians, isolationists, religious people, and some former intelligence people. The consensus is that the HK protests are a CIA operation, conducted through propaganda outfits like the National Endowment for Democracy and other CIA-funded groups.
I just read a complaint that "some Hong Kong residents pay up to $500,000 for tiny "nano apartments." Sounds like NYC to me. Now read this article from CNN on why HK leads the world in life expectancy and tell me where you'd rather live (assuming no language difficulty). https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/02/health/hong-kong-world-longest-life-expectancy-longevity-intl/index.html
Unlike Chinese basketball players, American players are considered to be 'performance artists' (actors) under the anti-trust and union laws. That is to say, they are mere mouthpieces of the capitalist, imperialist running dogs.
The NBA is two-faced. So Steve Kerr can say anything he wants (rightfully) about President Trump, but when NBA employees speak out about the totalitarian and anti-human regime in China, they are suddenly pressured into silence? Absurd. China is to be condemned, openly and often. Put ethics, morality, and the common good of all humans over business. Always.
319
@Dan Steven kerr is a responsible man. If he says something bad China, his team may lose the China market.
1
@alan there are some things that are more precious than $$$$$. Freedom is the first thing I can think of.
10
@Dan
You must be confusing China with America's autocratic ethnic sectarian supremacist totalitarian evil inhumane allies and friends like Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Pakistan, Phillipines, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the U.A. E.
China didn't imprison 25% of the world's prisoners. America does that with 5% of humans. And the prisoners tend to be the color aka race of a majority of NBA players. Instead of the color aka race of the NBA owners.
There is no private First Amendment free speech protection. There is protection from public government free speech rights interference.
The NBA isn't a civil human rights organization.
4
China is the world’s largest consumer market. It’s naive to think the league would willingly offend them over the Hong Kong protests.
To me, the Hong Kong protesters are courageous freedom fighters. But that’s just a story that I like to believe. It also seems true that they are separatists. Britain gave Hong Kong to China. Many young people in HK prefer a western style democracy to China’s authoritarian model. Well, too bad. Like it or not, you’re Chinese now.
The NBA defers to China. Ok. So does Apple, and Google and any company that wants to do business there. It’s the price of admission.
So BTW does this administration, and the one before, and the one before that. Have you heard a US President criticize their surveillance state or Muslim camps?
The world is not a giant democracy. Other nations organize themselves as they see fit. We respect their national sovereignty and work with nations unlike our own.
Of course we shun certain rogue nations that are bad actors or enemies of our friends, but funny how those counties are always small and isolated, and are never the ones with big consumer markets.
97
@MR Britain gave Hong Kong BACK to China. The only reason HK ever left China because Britain wanted to force the country to open its ports and poison its citizens with opium. After the devastating loss of the opium war, China conceded HK to Britain, but it was always known that HK would be returned to China. The story is much more complicated and has draws on deep feelings of nationalism/patriotism
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@MR
"Britain gave Hong Kong to China. Many young people in HK prefer a western style democracy to China’s authoritarian model. Well, too bad. Like it or not, you’re Chinese now."
I'm really not sure if you're being ironic. Sounds like you are endorsing slavery? Hong Kongers belonged to Britain, and was theirs to hand away like chattel? Self-determination, and 'when in the course of human events . . .'? No? No more?
But I do agree that we are living in a world of cowards. China needs luxury brands just as much as the luxury brands need China. The CCP promised marquee designers and entertainment to the people in exchange for political acquiescence. Take these things away and the deal is off. None of those fashionable young women and men are going back to their Mao jackets. Talk about a revolution waiting to happen!
Most recently, we have seen in South Africa how international brands and celebrities can take it upon themselves to act when governments do not. The same popularity that makes these entities so profitable in China is exactly what gives them leverage, if they cared to use it. But when the US president himself shrugs his shoulders at the Khashoggi murder (for example) for the sake of a prospective contract, then what incentive do they have to behave differently? Probably they are relieved that Trump gives them (am)moral cover.
But we as American consumers have power similar to Chinese consumers. The NBA season is about to get started. Boycott, anyone?
29
Respecting their sovereignty does not make they cannot be criticized.
42
Looking back, the NBA's willingness to let its players and teams speak up on US social justice and police brutality issues is a business decision, rather than a moral conviction. Given the demography of the NFA's fan base (vs. the NFL's), it was a positive branding move for the NBA to be "woke" on that front.
Are we really so naive to think otherwise?
1
The America of 'speaking truth to power' and its espousal of the principles of "...indivisible, with liberty and justice for all", seems downright quaint in today's environment of 'money and power trump any other principles'.
So sad and tired of being sad at the loss of 'my' country to its bitter angels of deceit, compromise of ideals and self-service.
3
People shouldn't make comments or take sides before they really understand the situation in Hong Kong. Both sides have faults and the situation has escalated to the point that no progress will be made under such condition. People need to calm down and talk this out instead of breaking into stores, set the streets on fire, or engage in fights. It is utterly important to have democracy but to accomplish that and to retain that via violence is 100% not the right way. People really need to calm down and people from outside Hong Kong should also push for a peaceful solution to this.
3
@John A peaceful solution that ends with democracy and human rights in China? I'm all for it. Can you say Tiananmen Square??? That was largely peaceful, at least in the part of the people protesting for democracy.
And how about the tank rolling communist party? How peaceful were they??
3
This is interesting. I wonder what athletes will be "allowed" to say at the 2022 Olympics in China. No mention of Tienanmen Square, Hong Kong or Taiwan? How will the US Olympic Committee react? Once again, there will be a lot of money on the line.
18
The most important thing is this is an authoritarian government censorship whose boundaries are decided by this authoritarian government, and now is the very time to decide if US PEOPLE (not corps this time) will follow such self censorship. Earlier saying Hongkong is not China was an offense, now saying Freedom for Hongkong become an offense, and tomorrow saying standing for US value which indicates democracy and freedom will be an offense. A Chinese student who appraised US in her US university graduation were harassed and bullied, and her family members in China threatened, because what she said was offensive. It's unfortunate that we have this president in the White House who would happy to keep silence as long as he can continue his trade talk which he is already losing, but the people should not accept such things and should fight back as hard as we can.
13
Rule of thumb: don’t sell out to authoritarians for the sake of the all mighty dollar. Ethics matter.
42
@JDK No longer. As long as the US president has nothing even approaching moral authority in regard to anything at all, ethics has no real meaning, since it has no monetary value. The entire country has sold out to an authoritarian, so why expect moral standards to exist?
1
@JDK
Apparently ethics do not matter.
The reason "Why the N.B.A. Apologized to China Over Daryl Morey’s Tweet About Hong Kong" is obvious.
Tiananmen Square was just a speed bump, almost forgotten, obscured in the shadow of money.
It’s a bad day for the United States when a corporation that is headquartered in the United States decides that a tweet defending democracy is a bad business decision.
I would like to propose that we take the wealth from the CEOs who hate democracy, and give it to American workers who love democracy.
69
@Austin Ouellette
Hear hear! I second that! American corporations are selling out this country for a quick profit to appease a country who does not believe in personal rights, property, freedom of thought.... This is unsustainable.
4
Believe in something, even it means sacrificing everything.
24
The NBA reveals its true face.
Money over people, market share over civil rights, league expansion over democratic values.
32
Old news. The NBA for decades has demonstrated in many ways that its priority is money.
Interested to know where the American social justice warriors like Marc Benioff of Salesforce stand on the issue of Hong Kong.
As with many U.S. companies now entering the political world it's money before political opinion.
5
@james Precisely. We get social justice warriors on gay rights (great), women's rights (great), minority rights (great), but we never hear from them regarding veterans' rights or human rights. It's our overall human rights that lay the foundation for all the other rights, and it's our vets who fought for these freedoms.
It's amazing how, when you look just a wee bit, you can so easily distinguish between a greenback virtue signaler and a true champion of democracy.
4
I am pro-democracy as everyone here. As a Chinese-Canadian, I am also sympathetic towards the journeys of all peoples, no matter how assiduous and challenging they are. I myself was firsthand witness of the student movement in China back in the late 1980s. I too want the people of China, and that includes HK, to have their say in how to run their country and their cities. There are many ways to get there, in different time frames as each country is different and their conditions are different. Just compare the roads to democracy of Great Britain to the US, from S. Korea to Japan, from Singapore to France. The list goes on. That said, there is zero place for violence and should be zero tolerance for it, regardless where it comes from.
In the past few months of HK, the protest has gone out of hand, the violence is unprecedented in historic proportion and the irrational hatred and bigotry from the black-shirted campe are beyond reproach. Those incidents are rarely reported in many major western media outlets. Their focus is squarely portraying those violence perpetrators as 'freedom fighters', the 'suppressed' and 'disenfranchised'. If you want to have the whole picture of Hong Kong as we speak, sadly, you are not going to get it in NYT or the Guardian (both of which I subscribed to as a paid reader).
10
@LYP It's funny that I wish you would apply the same standard to how CCP started their "peaceful revolution".
2
@LYP the American revolution got out of hand too.
2
Interesting to see Senator Marco Rubio weighing in here, critical of NBA players silent on this issue.
Now if Senator Rubio could only muster up the spine to condemn a President of the United States who solicits help from communist China to dig up political dirt on his political opponents, that would show real moral courage and defense of freedom right here in his own backyard.
49
@JEV Because he has moral values .. and he decided to speak up ...
So sad that the NBA would show such a weak moral backbone. Freedom is far more important that money.
6
I see - so it's fine for NBA to grandstand when there are no consequences for mouthing off... the moment dollars are involved, we're oh so sorry.
Same goes for the film industry, which does not dare to portray Chinese as villains from the moment they (brilliantly) bought shares in the production companies.
The lesson: the moment China has a modicum of power over your finances it will start to blackmail you.
9
The NBA seems to have a hypocrisy problem. Donald Sterling is drummed out of the league, and rightly so, for racist comments. But the ownership of the Brooklyn Nets? First a Russian plutocrat now Mr Tsai, a classic "have my cake and eat it too" wealthy overseas Chinese. He's made billions from the Chinese economy and supports the current dictatorship, while holding a Canadian passport and stashing a big part of his fortune in the US, thereby insuring his own safety if the political winds change.
11
Partisanship permeates every level of American society and some people don’t even remember they are at work and should keep their political views to themselves. This level of unprofessionalism is why so many companies are losing to foreign competitors and why so many employees are demoralized by hostile workplace culture.
1
Bad as Trump is, when one considers how Clinton gave away the store to China, he just might be a stable genius. Don't count him out yet.
1
@as I doubt that Trump would have a problem leading, or even being a businessman, under China's Communist Party rule. I'm sure he would relish the opportunity. Human rights are no longer taking a back seat in US foreign policy. they've been "thrown out of the moving car" and abandoned.
1
@as
Is this the same Trump that put sanctions on ZTE, then removed them while tweeting about saving Chinese jobs? Or the Trump whose family has merchandising deals in China? Or the same Trump that employs McConnells' wife whose in-laws have billions in Chinese shipping? Or the same Trump that axed the TPP agreement that would have helped contain China?
Anyway, no one like the Clintons anymore, pick on someone new. That's like picking on Republicans for being immoral.
1
From the Greatest Generation to the Crassest Generation, in 80 short years.
11
Yao Ming may be the Crown Prince of Basketball in China, but he is a the Crown Jewel.
A couple things here:
1) The Hong Kong protests remain an undefined situation here in the U.S. After weeks of reporting on the protests, and elimination of the extradition provision, I now have literally no idea what they are protesting about. There are no leaders and no demands that I can discern.
2) It's ironic that the same NBA stars who won't visit the White House and the lawfully elected President of the U.S., because they say he is racist, will bend over backwards to the authoritarian Chinese regime to keep the money flowing. Their athlete predecessors in the Civil Rights movement may not view them as profiles in courage. These NBA stars may be surprised to learn what the Chinese really think of them.
Funny how money make hypocrites out of people.
9
@TL There's no money to be made by visiting the White House. It's a nice dinner and an honor, nothing more. If the players don't see any benefit to going to the White House, then why should they?
Not sure why you bring up the fact that Trump was lawfully elected. No one is debating that.
1
@TL
To which stars are you referring?
The only one I see quoted is Harden.
@TL They have 5 demands, not one less. They want an investigation of police brutality. They want amnesty for protestors. They want universal suffrage and the resignation of Carrie Lam. They want formal retraction of the extradition bill. They want the the retraction of the riot label to protests in June.
2
There were those in the North who similarly didn't criticize slavery because it might have jeopardized their business dealings with slave owners in the South.
How did that work out?
3
Hong Kong is the new South Africa. American's must make a choice between supporting democracy or making money.
3
Know towing to China is wrong for anybody. Doing so for money is the worst possible reason. When the NBA and other companies kneel down, they only make things worse for the brave people of Hong Kong. Shame on the NBA.
7
Hollywood has been cozying up to the Chinese Communist censors and propagandists for years.
When was the last time a popular Hollywood film portrayed the Communist Chinese as anything other than competent and benevolent? 'Spy Game' in 2001? I bet that gets a lot of follow-on royalties from China these days.
Don't let Gu Li Duo come out your nose when you watch the made for-Communist-China scenes in 'Iron Man 3'.
4
Is it time to change the design of our flag from red, white, and blue to green to better represent our ideals?
4
We cannot allow China to become the world’s censor. The people of Hong Kong understands this. Why ban Huawei if America Inc. is going to do what it’s told by China?
7
The NBA is supposed to be all about empowerment.
By refusing to support the freedom loving people of Hong Kong (who borrow words from our own US Constitution!), the NBA has chosen instead to throw its support behind a totalitarian government which actively surveils its people, causes individuals to disappear, conducts large scale organ harvesting from prisoners, utilizes nationalistic propaganda and media controls, and engages in cultural genocide in Xinjiang.
Shouldn't it be possible to state that you love the Chinese people while abhorring their government?
There was a wonderful opportunity for the NBA to show unity with Chinese fans and also with people seeking freedom in Hong Kong.
By kowtowing to the leaders in Beijing, the NBA is encouraging self censorship inside the USA.
This was a very poor decision on the part of the NBA and shows a profound lack of leadership.
8
@Winston Churchill To make matters worse, the NBA operates a training academy in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang (https://nbaacademy.nba.com/location/xinjiang/).
The most mercantilist country in the world wins again...Always quick to criticize anything of anyone not in agreement with their social justice imperatives, the NBA and its players are now groveling as Tibetans, Uigars and Hong Kong students are starved and beaten. Congrats, craven ones!
3
To support the democracy in China, do not buy Halloween or Christmas stuff, they are all made in China, also don't go to Chinese buffet's, I'm sure all of their workers have no paper to be here.
2
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both Democracy and money.
4
The NBA is gutless for folding like a cheap carpet here. I’ll stop watching until the semi finals.
6
The funny thing is that if the Rockets had tweeted about the migrant camps or mass shootings nobody would have cared.
2
After read comments under this news, I think many readers don’t realize Chinese people are angry, not only government. If some NBA player tweet “Freedom Texas” or Hawaii is not belong to USA, what will you do?
1
What will we do? We already know what we will do because we already do it. We shrug and move on. We don't need to coerce individual states to stay in the union, not at this time anyway. If you need to force someone to stay with you how harmonious will your relationship be?
@hehe Taiwan is an independent country. Why do you think it ‘belongs’ to China?
Why does the Chinese government not believe in freedom of speech? Freedom of peaceable assembly? Freedom of the press? Allowing other political parties to compete in the marketplace of ideas?
1
When dealing with Communist China, it's whether you have a spine or no spine, period. Regarding Hong Kong, Mr. Trump's silence is thundering!
3
With weaklings like the NBA and short sighted American companies that gave over their precious secrets to China in exchange for profit, I think Xi does not have to worry about international reactions when he turns Hong Kong into a second Tiananmen Square.
3
That woke NBA players routinely comment on domestic political subjects in highly critical fashion and quickly acquiesce to China's demands will hopefully cause a tipping point of shame and force western companies to stop also. It's high time to isolate China again as it is obvious trade has only strengthened communism there threatening the entire region.
Freedom must always come first. Hong Kong,Taiwan,Vietnam, Nepal,Philippines etc are looking to us to do the right thing now.
10
No political system is perfect. Democracy is good, in principle. In real life, we have seen many problems with modern democracy, even in the US.
Will democracy with universal suffrage (that’s one of the protesters demands) solve all Hong Kong’s problems, including it’s serious issue of income inequality? Very doubtful.
HK’s GDP has just been surpassed by it’s neighboring city of Shenzhen in Mainland China, and there is no evidence that the younger generation in a “democratic Hong Kong” will become better entrepreneurs as compared to their counterparts in Shenzhen.
The human history of democracy with universal suffrage is not that long. Some philosopher commentator has declared “democracy is for gods” and it’s obvious that in modern democracy there are opportunities for improvement.
It’s easy to shout “Fight for democracy”. It’s also easy for the same sentence to become an empty slogan.
2
Spineless and pathetic.
21
Greedy and cowardly at the same time. Grow up, N.B.A. Human rights in Hong Kong and China are more important than your silly games.
30
The movie industry has also been pandering to China (actor Richard Gere claims he was blacklisted from American films and presenting at the Oscars because of his criticism of China.) If we lose the global competition with China for influence and respect, we can point to stories like these for an explanation.
12
It’s time for the players to step up and support the protesters.
14
I'd like to see a list from our media detailing every law passed in post 1997-HK that strips away any rights of HK folks. There were other bills that were perceived to do that but there were massive PEACEFUL protest and the government back down. Here're a couple examples:
The proposed reform to introduce the Moral & National Education curriculum was seen as an attempt by the CCP to influence the young minds of Hong Kong people to be more pro-party. That attempt was NOT PAST due to protests WITHOUT VIOLENCE.
The attempted enactment of Article 23 which would've allowed the HK Gov to enact laws on its own to "prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People's Government". You can argue that this is the most undisputed attempt to "infringe" upon HK people's freedom of speech which, ironic enough, was written in the Basic Law which means both the British & the pan-democrat representatives agreed with it at the time. And...it did not pass due to massive protest without VIOLENCE.
HK has no firewall or control of information. HK residents have all the rights Mainland residents have and some. Their specialized passport give them visa-free visits that their Chinese cousins are envy of. Their personal wealth can do anywhere they want. They are free to wave the Union Jack and Stars Spangles in their protest. (Just imagine protesters wave Chinese or British flags for rights movement in the US!)
3
"Peace in our time" has gone down as one of the worst mistakes in history.
I was recently watching a documentary series on WW2.
The parallels between the expansionism of Germany /Japan and the current behavior of China are scary. During the 1930s' the rest of the world let Germany subjugate territories time and again under the belief that "it's just one more concession". Japan made its initial conquests by force and thus was rebuked more sharply, but isolationism reigned. Both countries also imprisoned groups that are different than the favored core.
Today we are unfortunately taking the same attitude towards China.
Oh, and Japan's attack on the US also ranks as one of the greatest mistakes in history.
8
Maybe if you know the history better, you will know that Hong Kong was part of China since before US is even a country. Actually, it has been part of China since before Christ. So, what has changed its identity ? Is it hong kong people themselves finding Chinese government repressive? Heck no.
Before the world wars, european countries invaded China and colonized all the valuable port cities, including Hong Kong. Hong Kong was colonized by Britain, not freed. Hong Kong never exited as an independent country, and its people, from the very beginning, were and still are Chinese.
According to the treaty of Nanking, Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997 PEACEFULLY.
China is not expanding, it’s taking back its territory from the western countries.
Chinese people are sensitive about this issue cause the age of colonization greatly damaged its dignity as a sovereign country. It’s like the pain of 911 for US, if not even worse.
People are still dealing with the impact from western expansionism. This not only applies to Beijing and Hong Kong. There is no place for people who do not understand the issue to ignite the conflicts that’s originally caused them. I mean, if you still think the US is not the only one with moral conscious and the 14 billion Chinese people are just brain washed and unable to think for themselves...think twice about native Americans, Korean War, Vietnam war
War begins with misunderstandings not violence.. understanding before judgement pls
1
Every person in America knows right from wrong — The Hong Kong protesters are right, and the Chinese government is wrong. No person with morals or ethical values should look the other way on this issue.
Putting profits first is unethical and immoral. Protesters in Hong Kong are putting their lives in danger, and we’re worried about profitability. That is wrong.
92
Why is it not surprising that the NBA will stand with the cash cow, as opposed to those who desire freedom, liberty, and the desire for the rights we enjoy?
15
If another NBA player issues a similar tweet: "The Hong Kong protests concern the preservation of basic civil rights for its citizens, civil rights long denied to the citizens of China. The Chinese government has flooded its media outlets with propaganda and misinformation about the protests to mobilize outrage in the mainland."
What exactly would happen? Well, we don't know. We do know that many NBA athletes have expressed contempt for the Trump White House and its racist policies. But when it comes to China, are these same athletes now going to "Shut up and Dribble?"
33
@Christy: Actually, the Western press has been twisting the story from the beginning. From my perspective as an expat in HK, it feels like the way that the press fell for the story about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq because it matched their worldview and prejudices.
I have lived in the US, and HK is easily as free as the US. None of these protesters has suffered any persecution or experienced any loss of “rights”. It is all fear-based and fuelled by fake social media. The extradition bill was not going to affect anyone except criminals (political cases were excluded) and there was judicial review in HK, which still has the old British legal system and even some old English judges. And in any case, the bill has been withdrawn! So why are they trashing the city and destroying the rule of law???
2
@Christy Vaile
Right. All NBA players are being challenged now. Only Harden spoke. Or, he just buried his head, heart and mind in money.
@Andrew Yours is one of the few sensible voices here. HK is one of the freest places on earth according to Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute.
"Democratic and Republican politicians found agreement in calling the league gutless, accusing it of prioritizing money over human rights."
And how many politicians have the guts and ethics to place moral imperative over campaign contributions and winning elections? I haven't seen much of that since ... well, ever. Especially recently among Republicans whose unwavering support for an obviously corrupt party leader is taking this country to a very dark and undemocratic place, all because they're afraid of the backlash.
Corporate cowardice is no different.
7
Not being a NBA fan, I never knew how much the NBA licks the boots of China. It just shows again and again money above all. People are and have always been just another commodity for the wealthy. The sycophants that serve the wealthy, NBA players and coaches, have made their station in life and aim to remain there.
12
With this in the news, the latest Southpark episode really looks prophetic. Of course Southpark is now "band in China".
9
This just reinforces my personal choice of never supporting professional sports with my hard earned money. Greed really isn’t all that good...except for the greedy.
3
The NBA has the best basketball players in the world.
China does not.
They are selling themselves cheap.
5
The NBA is looking pretty bad in this situation. They are cowering to a non-democratic state for money. And as much as I dislike Trump... what he's doing to China in the trade war is spot on. Stand up to the bully... NBA. PS... Since the new owner of the Nets supports the Chinese state.. basketball fans should reconsider their financial support for the Nets. DEMOCRACY RULES!
13
NBA
It's time to put the VALUES over money. There is no amount of money can get your your values once lost.
Keep them.. slowly but money will come..
5
Just now realizing it’s an autocratic country? News sometimes travels slow.
5
Hong Kong “freedom” or “democracy,” I just wonder, how would it help with the rent crisis there!? What exactly is in it for common people?!
2
@Freak - freedom and democracy are basic human rights worth fighting for regardless of economic consequence. What's in it for the common man is having their human rights respected, so in other words, a lot.
2
I am sorry, I can’t take that to the bank?! And I am still sleeping in a closet and cooking in the same closet and can’t even afford to marry!! So once again I ask, what’s in it for me?!! Does “freedom” or “democracy” improve my rent situation?! Or healthcare?! If all you’re selling me are theories and platitudes of “freedom” or “honor,” or “human rights,” well, I Ann already without human rights in my tiny closet apartment!! What difference does it make if that won’t change?! You gotta come stronger with that “freedom” and “democracy” and “human rights” theories! What difference does it really make to common people?! People are making money and traveling and getting rich in China with its “poor” human rights! So, why should I care?!!!
You can't simply earn anyone's money and disrespect them.
4
Money will make many people become spineless!
2
Not happy to see NBA bend so cravenly to authoritarian pressures against a little free speech. But doubly amused to see Republican politicians finding their moral outrage backbones for this incident, ever-so-briefly.
1
In a culture where bottom line literally means money, what else do you expect?
The entire world is treading lightly when it comes to criticizing China. They have enormous power, economic boycotts are very effective. Be prepared when you mess with China is the message.
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@Pepperman We buy 540 billion in products from China and they buy 120 billion from us. A 420 billion dollar trade deficit. So remind me again who has more to lose in a from economic boycotts with China? It is about time Americans start boycotting products from China if we even can.
27
@Todd
The 540 billion includes all the billions China imported to be assembled and exported to the US. If iPhone 7's 3.6% China cut is indicative, then it is not 540B vs 120B, but actually 20B vs 120B. Even at 10%, that is only 54B vs 120B.
Another way of looking at it is like when you get a loan to buy a car or a mortgage to buy a house, but the IRS auditor believes those loans are your income and you need to pay income taxes on it.
http://theconversation.com/we-estimate-china-only-makes-8-46-from-an-iphone-and-thats-why-trumps-trade-war-is-futile-99258
Of the factory-cost estimate of $237.45 from IHS Markit at the time the iPhone 7 was released in late 2016, we calculate that all that’s earned in China is about $8.46, or 3.6 percent of the total. That includes a battery supplied by a Chinese company and the labor used for assembly.
The other $228.99 goes elsewhere. The U.S. and Japan each take a roughly $68 cut, Taiwan gets about $48, and a little under $17 goes to South Korea.
5
@Schwanish While I get your point your example of an iPhone is a very high tech, high value added product. I would think the majority of junk that gets made in China and sold in Walmart doesn’t have the same split of even close.
12
It's all about money, I get it. What bugs me is the hypocrisy. If an NBA player made a statement against racism or social injustice in this country, there would be not one peep of criticism from the league; if anything, they would fall over themselves expressing support for his exercising his right to voice his opinion. But then they come down on somebody for daring to criticize one of the most repressive regimes on earth. What a joke.
365
@Dave The most repressive regimes on earth? You have forgotten a US ally named Saudi Arabia.
12
@Dave ,
I agree.
with China's horrific human rights issues in Tibet, Hong Kong, and toward Uighur and other minorities, it is time to stand up to tyranny and abuse of power.
If sports figures can protest the American flag, it is high time they spoke up against the biggest abuser of all, China.
Let's all support the man with the courage and vision, Daryl Morey.
20
@Dave
Yes but with 5% of humanity America has 25% of the world's prisoners. And although only 13% of Americans are black like Ben Carson and Tim Scott about 40% of the American prisoners are black.
Because blacks are persecuted for acting like white people do without any criminal justice consequences. Prison is the carefully carved colored exception to the 13th Amendment abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude.
There is no American city nor territory nor possession named Hong Kong. The people of Hong Kong are not my fellow Americans. China is not an American ally nor friend.
There are American cities named Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Newark, Philadelphia and St. Louis.
There is an American territory aka possession aka colony named Puerto Rico with cities named Ponce and San Juan. Puerto Ricans are my fellow Americans.
This is the travesty. You must be joking.
5
Hard to believe, but I actually agree with Marco Rubio
The NBA should be embarrassed over this. How can it be ok for players and coaches to criticize Trump (deservedly in my opinion) but apologize over supporting Hong Kong protestors? Not just execs but James Harden apologized? Totally hypocritical
251
@James Every now and then, Marco Rubio's personal interests align with reality and/or what is right. In those instances, you'll find yourself agreeing with him. But it was just happenstance.
7
@James Hard to believe, but I agree with Marco Rubio on this one as well. The NBA should stand up for human rights first and foremost, even if it means losing the China market for the short term. In the long term, the Chinese people will eventually embrace human rights -- that is a genie that is hard to put back in the bottle -- and the NBA will look like enablers.
7
@James
Like the Humbug from " The Phantom Tollbooth", Rubio is almost never right about anything and when he is, it's usually an accident.
2
The international sports community should all exclude china for this. Sports should not be about politics, and if china cannot handle that they should not be allowed to participate in international events. The NBA should be fined for the stance they're taking here as their support of the chinese government for money means they're actively supporting human right violations. Due to their influential position, this stance should not be tolerated in the west.
3
It is unlikely that American capitalists will give up a 1.4 billion consumers market. That's reality.
1
Not all protests are created equal. The underlying demand of the HK protests is universal suffrage, which, in a communist regime, would amount to de-facto independence. Pretty sure that's not what the Chinese had intended to give in 1997. To support the protests would be to incite civil war - hence the rebuke from the PRC.
To be a part of China but not be subject to communism is to join the Republic of China - currently enjoying de facto independence in Taiwan. But even Taiwan is in a precarious position with no real allies. Not even the U.S. is willing to recognize ROC as a true nation, what makes HK?
In the end, there is only one China. One wonders why the HK protestors are demanding a right that they never had from their democratic colonialists, perhaps it is the thought of being ruled by the Chinese - generally viewed by the HKers as inferior than the Brits and even the HKers themselves.
16
@reality check So the promise of "one country, two systems" was just a ruse?
1
@Holmes
No, they were clear that One country came before Two systems, like how our Federal laws takes precedence over laws of States and Territories.
The simple, and yet extremely difficult solution, is to ratufy a treaty that restricts countries from trading, to a certain degree, with other countries who do not support basic human rights. The more human rights the given government supports, e more you get to trade with us.
We should have done that 50 years ago. Had we done so, China would be a democracy and the work economy would be 50% bigger.
21
@Think Strategically
Whose "human rights" though? You don't think that doesn't open up the US to charges of massive amounts of hypocrisy?
2
If you're doing a lot of business with someone the usual idea is to not go out of your way to irritate them. The geopolitical opinions of the NBA, its players and executives, matter not at all in any case so why stir things up on an issue where everyone, including your own Government, is treading lightly? Or maybe just kneel at courtside during the national anthem in solidarity with all of those well off international financiers and business people suffering in Hong Kong.
6
@Frunobulax -- Like the GM, YOU are also entitled to your (off the wall) opinion, and not subject to the abuse of Communist China's control of your words.
3
We are no longer a nation of principles and integrity, and I do believe we were at one time. Money is the end all and be all in the corporation formerly known as the United States of America. We stand for nothing more than making a buck. Revising a time worn maxim, money talks, everything else walks.
75
@Andy We were never a nation of principles and integrity. That is a romantic version of an empire. Just about everything this country has done in the world has been driven by self interest. Not altruism.
2
@Felix
I believe a nation can act in it's best interests while maintaining their integrity and taking a principled stand. And I maintain that our history is replete with examples. I'd add that altruism, while admirable, is not a requirement for acting on principle and behaving with integrity. That all being said, I cannot deny that our history is also replete with actions that have caused great harm to others, both nations, the planet, and people.
2
Maybe, maybe this is one controversy where the Left and Right can come together. let's see what Kerr and Popovich have to say.
14
“... see the Hong Kong protesters portrayed as violent rioters in the state-run news media and largely regard them as such, ...” hmmm are they not? Then who smashed shops windows? Who made Hong Kong metro have to shut? Who insulted tourists from mainland China?
Violence is never the way. And the protesters are lacking of proper leadership. They haven’t been very clear about what they want and how they want it. Beijing is just playing a game with them. Look at the stats, economy is continuously dropping. The protestors are scaring shoppers and tourists away, which will make low-income citizen’s lives even harder. I really want them to re-think about what they want and negotiate with Beijing PEACEFULLY. This is the only way people can go back to routine life and make Hong Kong good again.
22
@Es This article was only marginally about Hong Kong, even less about tactics in political movements. It is about the ability of the Chinese communist party to censor foreign individuals and companies by jeopardizing their access to the lucrative Chinese market. It is about the sad reminder that ideas can spread everywhere, as long as money is not involved.
14
@Es
"Violence is never the way." Tell that to the People's Republic of China. A government of mass murderers and repressers. No fair minded person would DARE compare shutting a subway or insulting a tourist to the genocide of the Uighers, the occupation of Tibet and gassing of Hong Kong demonstrators. The people of Hong Kong are victims of Communist Party aggression.
14
@Es Beijing doesn't negotiate, peacefully or otherwise. That is why HKers are in the streets.
10
Never mind lives, only Money is what that matters the most.
19
@dchow
Funny thing when Russia or Chins sticks their nose in our business - it is very bad but when we stick our noses in China's business it is very good.
Short of genocide - there is no role for private companies to attempt to influence geopolitical spats.
1
Let's agree that both Republicans and Democrats capitulated to China long ago. You only need to compare how the US government has been treating Cuba vs. China.
47
Who needs democracy when you can have profits instead? Every citizen of this country, starting with the folks in the White House, should be ashamed of themselves for kow-towing to profit before people.
The second layer of this 'profit' 1st mentality, and lack of intelligence, is that the largest problem facing humanity is resource degradation - the more we make, the more we sell, the more we profit, the less earth we have to sustain us - let alone the prospects of the 7th generation having a home.
Shame on business for cozying up with Communists who want to suppress the human spirit - and shame on all of us for not seeing the danger we have created for our own lives from our over-population and consumptive habits.
35
"Democratic and Republican politicians found agreement in calling the league gutless, accusing it of prioritizing money over human rights." If it wasn't so sad, this statement would be hilarious.
Does Mr. Morey not have the right to free speech? He was not representing the view of the NBA, clearly. I wish he'd had the spine to not delete the tweet.
18
So the same league that is so "woke" that the term owner is banned now kowtows to the Tiananmen Square murders as they get their army ready for round two in Hong Kong. Money talks. Human rights?
56
Most Americans have been so indoctrinated that they will not realize the irony that a nation that prides itself on "freedom of speech" now has its entire political establishment attacking the NBA for not siding with its foreign policy positions.
The reality is that Hong Kong's government actually already affords these rioters vastly more freedom of speech than they would ever find in the United States.
22
@Tim
More free speech rights than in the US? I think not.
8
@Shamrock
You don't think? My point exactly.
1
@Shamrock
That's because you don't think :P
1
Well that makes it crystal clear - the NBA's about profits not democracy. Does the NBA speak for the player's, many of whose ancestors suffered horrifically under a government that once tolerated slavery, segregation and their persecution for no reason other than their color.
3
Most Americans have been so indoctrinated that they will not realize the irony that a nation that prides itself on "freedom of speech" now has its entire political establishment attacking the NBA for not siding with its foreign policy positions.
The reality is that Hong Kong's government actually already affords these rioters vastly more freedom of speech than they would ever find in the United States.
9
It's always about the money. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
7
I was already pretty much done with the NBA, except watching a couple playoffs games. But now? Coffin, meet nail.
11
@Eero
I think the NBA will do just fine, notwithstanding.
1
A democratic stand for human rights may risk sneaker contracts. Bad business indeed.
9
Full Disclosure. I left same Comment at WaPo.
Ah, the Chase after the Almighty Dollar. Or in the case of People's Republic of China, the Renminbi (aka. Chinese Yuan). A Pox on Both NBA and PRC. I refuse to play-along w/ "catering" to Groups that don't benefit me Financially. Last week I attended a Conference hosted By the USPTO and Princeton University. Topic was "Strategies For IP Protection In China." While the IP scene in China was not as bad as I had thought. It was still not up-to US and World (WTO, EU) Standards. I am not bowing down to the PRC Standards. This coming from an Asian-American Attorney. I even refused to watch the ending to the Matt Damon Movie " The Martian" b/c the movie's ending (I heard) Catered to Chinese Audiences. I might even throw NCAA Football and the NFL "under the Bus" if they tried the same thing.
11
At least the Chinese government is consistent. That’s a lot more than you can say for ours.
6
@Walter mccarthy
Are you crediting them for consistent genocide, consistent repression or consistent use of military force? Do you want your government consistent in those areas? I sure don't.
3
Treat all beings with kindness.
3
Did the NBA players know, before today, that they were working for a Chinese-controlled company? They know now.
78
With Twitter blocked in China, I wonder how many fans would have even seen the tweet
13
“Show me the money” is what the USA has always been all about, and always will be. Aka: “ The business of America is business!”
3
The young people of Hong Kong are going to give their lives to protect democracy! The NBA is allowing to be bribed with this potential blood money. There could be blood on your hands. Maybe the NBA should wear masks on the court to honor the young people of Hong Kong who are fighting on the world stage and hoping that all of us support them!!
20
China needs to understand that Americans have the right of free speech. If they don't like it tough. Let them form their own basketball league.
19
It is one thing for a business to moderate its speech to avoid upsetting potential customers. It’s something else entirely to police the speech or political views of an employee of that business acting in a personal capacity. Not sure why the NBA couldn’t have simply underlined that its players and staff are a diverse group of people from all over the world with diverse views, but who share a passion for basketball at the highest level.
81
@David B
Policing of employee views has become an issue here in the United States.
It is very sad that the rockets, their owner and star player James Harden chose to apologize for supporting freedom in Hong Kong. That’s a despicable position to take and should be punished at the pocketbook. The US public should take note of this position and make purchasing choices accordingly.
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@MR I was born a Texan, still proud to be a Texan. Texan culture, ideally, does not kowtow to evil, fascist regimes. Although, granted, it currently supports Trump. But we are talking ideals, and the only constant is change.
Right on MR. No more Houston Rockets for me.
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@MR
Nonsense.
There is no American city named Hong Kong.
China is not an American ally. China doesn't buy nor is it given American aid in the form of arms or dollars.
Black African Americans are profiled, stalked, stopped, beaten, shot, arrested on pick on the streets of pick any American city.
The state of Texas is misled by the likes of Ted Cruz, John Cornyn and Gregg Abbott.
New York City cursed America with the likes of Rudy Giuliani, Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump.
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The global movement to end apartheid in South Africa taught a key lesson: international movements can defeat violent political regimes. Players, fans, and activists who support democracy and human rights can show solidarity with demonstrators in Hong Kong by elevating this issue in the NBA. NBA games can become an arena for more than basketball. People can demonstrate on the court or in the stands, and experiment with creative tactics online and offline. A society that chooses entertainment and profits over human rights requires a moral reckoning. As Hong Kong protestors risk incarceration, brutality, and death in their fight for freedom, let's do what we can to support them from our relatively safe corner of the world. As Dr. King said, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," and "the time is always right to do right".
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@Jeff R Don't forget about the Uyghurs, who are being used as organ harvesting subjects according to the China Tribunal's address to United Nations Human Rights Council.
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American hegemony is driven by merchandise and profits, not principles and democracy. While we’d love to believe the Chinese people would look up to our political leadership, it’s hard to imagine what positive lessons they might currently learn.
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The NBA leaders now have to decide whether they support American ideals embodied in the Bill of Rights, like free speech, freedom of assembly, unreasonable search and seizure -- or will they just take the money from wherever and whomever offers it. In other word, is sports about more than money.
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Exactly. Don’t do business with or work for morally compromised entities, whether it be China, Saudi Arabia, or Donald Trump. Things will go badly, most likely for you. Compromised values, compromised soul. There are other ways to make a buck, no?
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Why would the leadership of the NBA care about cops beating people up?
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Should they care about protesters beat cops and other innocent people, destroy banks stores subway station?
@hehe Typical wumao whataboutism response. Yeah keep the focus on the minority of violent protests and ignore the entire movement, which is based on PRC violating the 2-system agreement. Not to mention modern day holocaust/vivisection on millions of Uyghurs.
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@Heq Banana This was a sarcastic comment because NBA players have protested against USA police many times.
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The concept of right or wrong has no meaning when large sums of money are involved. Haven't we all learned that lesson in the last two years?
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@Morgan I've been learning that message every day of my adult life. I'm 40 now... this isn't a new phenomenon.
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@Morgan That depends on your moral standards. There certainly are people who put right and wrong ahead of money, but they are few and far between. And surely, this is not a recent phenomenon.
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@Morgan Are you thinking of the zillions of foreign dollars raked in by the Clinton Global Initiative?
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Televised NBA games feature a commercial that tries to inform the public of the NBA community work and the good that comes from its activities. In this instance, the NBA has displayed a complete lack of courage which reveals that the good it claims to do is merely propaganda in an effort to increase the bottom line.
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@Ramirez It's called "Woke Washing," more common among corporations these days.
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@Ramirez : Metastatic authoritarianism via capitalist extortion. Oh, I am a fan of free markets as long as we have checks and balances and separation of powers like we do in government. Planned economies are foolish. But don't ever believe anybody who says that capitalism is intrinsically democratic. If it is truly darwinistic (and that's the selling point, why it is most efficient), then it will use all of its resources to slash the competition to the benefit of itself. Tag seemed great when fighting Communist Authoritarianism, but not at all when the authoritarianism itself is Capitalist.
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@Ramirez
Most Americans have been so indoctrinated that they will not realize the irony that a nation that prides itself on "freedom of speech" now has its entire political establishment attacking the NBA for not siding with its foreign policy positions.
The reality is that Hong Kong's government actually already affords these rioters vastly more freedom of speech than they would ever find in the United States.
With courageous coaches like Greg Popovich and Steve Kerr who are never afraid to take a stand against injustice, I expect we will see more of these sentiments expressed. Good. Time to put morality over profits.
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we haven't heard a peep from Kerr or Popovich yet. I expect we won't and, if we don't, we' ll know what their priorities are.
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@Evan You mean, "my morality over your profits." Subtle but meaningful distinction.
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@Evan I have a suspicion that the NBA preemptively warned Pop and Kerr not to say a word about this situation. Wouldn't want to hurt an investor's feelings. The fact that they actually have been silent, they must have put some serious threat down.
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Time to boycott Brooklyn Nets? Even better, how do we take/ force ownership back from Tsai?
At this point, there's not much common or harmony left between us and China.
Time to really disengage.
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The Nets’ owner is Taiwanese, not Chinese. That’s an important difference in this conversation. But I share your sentiment, which is that I’d prefer that no business, including the NBA, voluntarily comply with Chinese censorship for money.
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@Brian Mr. Tsai is the executive chairman of the company Alibaba.
Look it up.
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@Brian
But he's parroting the Chinese line.....What's the difference?
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