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Jonathan White

Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal has said that Daryl Morey was right as the NBA’s China crisis rumbled on during the league’s opening night.
Speaking on TNT’s pre-game show, the former LA Lakers star weighed in on the ongoing furore.
“One of our best values here in America is free speech, we’re allowed to say what we want to say and we are allowed to speak out on injustices and that’s just how it goes,” O’Neal said.
“Daryl Morey was right. Whenever you see something wrong going on anywhere in the world, you should have the right to say ‘that’s not right’ and that’s what [Morey] did.”

Shaq on Daryl Morey/China "One of our best values here in America is free speech we're allowed to say what we want to say and we are allowed to speak out on injustices and that's just how it goes. and if people don't understand that that's something they have to deal with. pic.twitter.com/vefcHSPlMD
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 22, 2019

Houston Rockets GM Morey posted in support of Hong Kong’s anti-government protesters on October 4 in a subsequently deleted tweet that said “Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong”.
The tweet resulted in the Rockets being banned by Chinese broadcasters and put the NBA China Games between the Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets in jeopardy.

Listen....@dmorey does NOT speak for the @HoustonRockets. Our presence in Tokyo is all about the promotion of the @NBA internationally and we are NOT a political organization. @espn https://t.co/yNyQFtwTTi
— Tilman Fertitta (@TilmanJFertitta) October 5, 2019

Those games went ahead but many team and player appearances were cancelled, while partners also pulled out of the events.
Is NBA’s China crisis over? Not for LeBron James
The new NBA season’s opening games – where LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers took on the LA Clippers and at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, and the NBA champions Toronto Raptors hosted the New Orleans Pelicans – were marked with supporters protesting the league’s recent stance on China and anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

First NBA Halftime report and we have a Hong Kong flag. Love it pic.twitter.com/voKUJoL9jS
— Tony Hernandez (@HernandezTony) October 23, 2019

Protesters handed out thousands of black T-shirts outside the Raptors game with the message “The North Stand With Hong Kong” printed on them, in reference to the team’s “We The North” slogan.
One volunteer, wearing a black surgical mask and who did not want to be named, said the Toronto group raised nearly US$34,000 through a GoFundMe page to print 7,000 T-shirts, Reuters reported.
In Los Angeles, many fans wore T-shirts with the same message as Morey’s initial tweet and face masks.

1. Producer and activist Andrew Duncan bought 300 tickets to tonight's Nets vs Raptors game and is hosting hundreds of Chinese pro-Democracy activists to protest the NBA.

They're all wearing "Stand With Hong Kong" t-shirts pic.twitter.com/pIcUwSLaPB
— Yashar Ali (@yashar) October 19, 2019

Meanwhile, a Hong Kong flag was seen waving in the stands during the half-time analysis from the Staples Center.

The ongoing crisis has brought the league’s Chinese sponsorship into question, while many fans in the US have come out in support of the league’s commitment to “free speech”.
NBA players who have failed to speak out, such as LeBron James, have also come in for criticism.


Jealous Hongkonger who threatened to burn 6 media newsrooms jailed for 1 year

Hong Kong actor Gregory Wong loses appeal against 2019 Legco storming conviction

How national security and ‘one country, two systems’ go hand in hand

Hong Kong woman faces 2019 protest charges after returning from Australia

Hong Kong protests

NBA China crisis: Shaquille O’Neal says ‘Morey was right’ as fans protest at opening LA Lakers and Toronto Raptors games

A fan wears a “Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong” T-shirt and holds a US flag before an NBA game at the Staples Center. Photo: USA Today Sports

A fan wears a T-shirt handed out by Hong Kong pro-democracy supporters outside, at the NBA basketball game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Toronto Raptors in Toronto on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

NBA commissioner Adam Silver will face ‘retribution’ for defaming China, state media says

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver “sought to paint China as unforgiving”, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Photo: EPA-EFE

Pro-democracy protesters supporting Hong Kong are seen on the stands of Barclays Center during a game between the Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors, in New York City, New York, U.S., October 18, 2019 in this still image obtained from social media video on October 19, 2019. NY4HK – New Yorkers Supporting Hong Kong /via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

Hong Kong pro-democracy protests expected at Vancouver NBA pre-season game today

Activists hold up a sign before an NBA exhibition basketball game between the Washington Wizards and the Guangzhou Loong-Lions on October 9, 2019, in Washington. Photo: AP

Basketball fans burns LeBron James's jersey at Southern Playground in Wan Chai. 15OCT19 SCMP / Sam Tsang

China denies it pressured NBA to sack Houston Rockets’ Daryl Morey

Protesters rally at Southorn Playground in Hong Kong on Tuesday in support of Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. Photo: AFP

Sport

China

Basketball


Hall of famer O’Neal backs Houston Rockets GM as row shows no signs of going away
Fans at both opening games protest, with NBA champions watched by fans in ‘The North Stand With Hong Kong’ T-shirts



Hall of famer O’Neal backs Houston Rockets GM as row shows no signs of going away with protests at opening games of NBA season.


NBA (National Basketball Association)

US-China relations