NBA player silence is about losing China money, says Andrew Bogut
- Outspoken Australian fined US$8,000 by Fiba for foul-mouthed outburst at World Cup in China in September
- NBA champion says he was not ‘calling out’ players but stating ‘fact’
Former NBA centre Andrew Bogut has reiterated his view that NBA stars are staying silent on China because of their commercial commitments.
The Australian was accused of calling out NBA stars in a tweet, posted after LeBron James commented on the ongoing row over Daryl Morey’s tweet supporting Hong Kong protesters.
Bogut tweeted “Everyone is for the “cause” until the “cause” costs them $$$$$.......” on October 15, just after James made his first comments on Morey and the NBA’s issues in China.
The outspoken Sydney Kings put his own view forward to the Australian media on Tuesday.
“I don’t think I was calling them out, I think that was fact,” the 34-year-old said.
“I don’t think that's a matter of opinion. NBA players make a lot of money in the off-season in China. So just be honest, you don't want to lose money.
