- The Athletic reports that James led a player-only meeting of Nets and Lakers that wanted the NBA to speak out first
- Star called ‘hypocrite’ on social media as Tencent broadcasts games and mainland media coverage of league returns
What next for the NBA and China? It seems that both sides want to move on but will the US or Chinese media let them?
LeBron James is taking flak for comments made to the media before the LA Lakers preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night in the US and the subsequent tweets he made to clarify his position.
"I don't want to get into a … feud with Daryl Morey but I believe he wasn't educated on the situation at hand and he spoke," James told the media.
His tweets went further still. "Let me clear up the confusion. I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet. I'm not discussing the substance. Others can talk about that," he wrote.
My team and this league just went through a difficult week. I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it.
" LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
Commenters were quick to point out the irony of James following in Morey's footsteps in having to clarify what he meant through Twitter.
Unlike other players, and there are many of them, James is not known for specific sponsorship deals exclusive to China.
Instead, he is Nike's biggest basketball athlete, who showed their colours over the Morey tweet by removing Rockets gear from their China store, and the face of the Lakers, a team who can claim to be the most popular on the mainland. Speaking out would damage his brand.
Let me clear up the confusion. I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet. I'm not discussing the substance. Others can talk About that.
" LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
The normally outspoken James will come across as a lickspittle and a bootlicker. He has been called a hypocrite, a sell-out and worse. He can clarify this all he wants on Twitter, but there is a backlash unfolding as America waits for one of its players to speak out.
But if not James when back in the safety of the US, then who? Certainly not those making deals in China.
T he Athletic's Bill Oram in his post-tour take on a visit to China, where he was expecting one thing and got another, revealed that Kyle Kuzma had plans to announce sponsorship deals while in Shanghai. Kuzma had previously spoken to Kobe Bryant about to market himself on the mainland.
LeBron James speaks for the first time since the NBA's trip to China, says Rockets GM Daryl Morey was "misinformed" about the ramifications of his tweet, and "not educated about the situation." Here are LeBron's comments in full: pic.twitter.com/Rwjnchm2w3
" Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 15, 2019
The Athletic, again, has the tale of what went on behind the scenes once NBA commissioner Adam Silver arrived in Shanghai.
Shams Charania reported that the commish met with both teams on October 9 and then there was a joint players-only meeting at both teams.
"He discussed that he believed players should face the media and support the league's openness toward freedom of expression, wanting to open the room up for discussion and an open-minded approach toward the situation, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the meeting," wrote Charania of Silver.
In the middle of the NBA/China controversy, commissioner Adam Silver met with the Lakers and Nets. LeBron James had a clear message for everyone in the room, followed by a players-only meeting. NBA Insider @ShamsCharania with the behind the scenes story⬇️https://t.co/gQ8b6f5UEx pic.twitter.com/nIyvofOlFS
" The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) October 14, 2019
The players, it was said, thought the NBA should speak up first, a fact made more difficult by the cancellation of Silver's Shanghai press conference last Wednesday. James led the joint-team meeting. Kuzma and Kyrie Irving spoke up too.
This article has been translated into Chinese online, while LeBron backed it up in a Monday interview after returning to the US.
"I feel like with this particular situation, not only was I not informed enough about," James said on Monday, "I just felt like it was something not only myself or my teammates or our organisation had enough information to even talk about it at that point in time. And we still feel the same way."
Steph Curry: "This situation, there's a huge weight and gravity to it. There's going to need to be some things to be sorted out. But I just don't know enough about Chinese history and how that's influenced modern society…This is not going away. So we'll come back to it." pic.twitter.com/6h6ZGWHQtq
" Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 9, 2019
Steph Curry commented too.
""Staying true to who we are as a league. But figuring out how that plays with all the different connections we have and opportunities we have. Just the way we've done business has been great …"
"I think the way that we've represented ourselves is positive, more times than not, and sticking with that approach " the collective mindset from Adam Silver all the way down to the last player on the bench, I think that's been a good vibe and open communication.
James Harden and Russell Westbrook were asked if they would "feel differently" about speaking on political and societal affairs because of the events with the NBA/China.A spokesperson interrupted and informed the reporter that the players would answer basketball questions only. pic.twitter.com/zMe8uWz2hY
" Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) October 10, 2019
"It's why we are the league that we are, for sure."
Again these have been reported in China, where Curry is one of the most marketable players, while fans on both sides of the ongoing divide have called out James and Curry to come out in their favour via Twitter, with the accusation that money is driving the NBA players' new softly, softly approach.
The league is certainly worried about money. League sources told Yahoo Sports at the weekend that they fear the financial hit from the fallout could see the salary cap fall between 10 and 15 per cent for the 2020-21 season.
Why Silver had to back Rockets' GM Morey and anger China
For now, it's getting back to normal. Mainland media have resumed their daily updates on the NBA and Tencent are screening the games they paid so much to secure. For now it looks like it could be going in the right direction.
Say nothing, offend no one. Move on. That will work for everyone but the Rockets at least, whose time it appears is done. But for how long?
Perhaps just until someone decides the real money is in taking a stand the other way and embracing those calling James out.
This may have all started with a tweet but it is unlikely to end with one.
Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
