4 chapters across the catalog
Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey sparked international controversy by tweeting "Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong" in support of pro-democracy protesters. Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta quickly distanced the team from the statement, asserting the organization is not political. Despite Morey's subsequent apology, the Chinese Basketball Association suspended cooperation with the Rockets, and Chinese broadcasters announced they would no longer air the team's games.
Basketball has been a national sport in China since the early 1900s, introduced by the YMCA and famously enjoyed by Mao Zedong. The sport's massive popularity explains the significant impact of the current diplomatic rift and the fascination of leaders like Kim Jong-un. The Houston Rockets became China's favorite team due to Yao Ming, whose NBA draft destination was allegedly influenced by market demographics rather than a purely random process.
A personal anecdote about a Chinese colleague illustrates the cultural divide regarding political speech, noting that many Chinese citizens find public political stances to be entirely foreign and dangerous. While players like James Harden are caught in the middle of the Houston Rockets' controversy, the broader Chinese public's reaction to a potential NBA ban remains uncertain. The regime's control over information makes a popular revolt over basketball unlikely.
Speculation continues regarding why Daryl Morey would send such a damaging tweet given his deep understanding of the Chinese market through Yao Ming. One theory suggests he may have been encouraged by the Trump administration to create a distraction or a bargaining chip. Regardless of the motive, the event has provided transparency for fans, revealing that their sports heroes may be "false prophets" primarily motivated by money.
