The GM of the Houston Rockets Daryl Morey got into a whole heap of trouble when he spoke out in support of the protesters in Hong Kong. The big problem is that the NBA and Nike make billions over in China, so China has a stake in the free speech of those representing the NBA. It’s all about the money. As soon as the controversy began, Houston Rockets merchandise was pulled from shelves in several big NBA stores in China.
In the clip below, Shaq and Charles Barkley stand up for GM Morley and say it’s too bad if China doesn’t like our right to free speech. That was brave because China makes billions for the NBA and Nike. Will the NBA and Nike do the right thing and follow the lead of Shaq and Barkley to tell China to shove it? To be continued…
Shaq on Rockets GM Daryl Morey speaking out against China and for the Hong Kong protests:
“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.”
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
“China can’t just tell us what to do…”
Shaq on China "China can't tell us what to do and we can't tell them what to do, that's the bottom line" pic.twitter.com/EVUt3ICm2Y
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 22, 2019
Charles Barkley: “We all have a responsibility to our employers, his allegiance is to the Houston Rockets and the NBA…He can quit if he’s not happy with it.”
Charles Barkley on Daryl Morey/China "We all have a responsibility to our employers, his allegiance is to the Houston Rockets and the NBA…He can quit if he's not happy with it" pic.twitter.com/CBif3kvEtT
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 22, 2019