NBA Nixes Media Availability for the Rest of China Trip

By Anthony LaBruto 

The NBA is getting into some hot water regarding their statements about Hong Kong’s pro democracy protests. 

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey’s tweet has drawn criticism from the Chinese government, after tweeting pro Hong Kong democracy statements. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver supported these statements and encouraged free speech even though the league is traveling internationally. 

The Chinese government responded very quickly to these statements, and both tweets from the men have been taken down. Government officials also cancelled any press interaction following the basketball game in Shanghai on Thursday. 

While the league has tried to soothe tensions with the Chinese government, there was little it could do to appease them. Along with canceling press events for the majority of the NBA scheduled obligations, the government and NBA jointly has cancelled the New York Nets’ NBA Cares dedication event at a local school, the Los Angeles Lakers Special Olympics clinic, and an NBA 2k video game event.