Shaquille O’Neal defends free speech on NBA opening night saying ‘Daryl Morey was right’ about Hong Kong protests even after Le Bron James labelled his comments ‘misinformed’
- Shaquille O’Neal came to the defense of Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, who set off a firestorm between the NBA and China
- Morey tweeted his support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong
- ‘As American people, we do a lot of business in China,’ O’Neal said. ‘And they know and understand our values and we understand their values.’
- The NBA is standing by Morey despite demands by the Chinese government and various business partners that he be fired
- Lakers star LeBron James was also heavily criticized by some U.S. lawmakers for the perception that he caved to the Chinese regime
Shaquille O’Neal has spoken about his beliefs of defending free speech at the opening night of the NBA season.
He proclaimed Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey ‘was right’ to openly support pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong even though the tweet created something of a firestorm in China.
‘As American people, we do a lot of business in China,’ the retired O’Neal said during TNT’s pre-game show.
Shaquille O’Neal, pictured, came to the defense of Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, who set off a firestorm between the NBA and China
‘They know and understand our values and we understand their values. And one of our best values in America is free speech.
‘We’re allowed to say what we want to say and we’re allowed to speak up on injustices, and that’s just how it goes and if people don’t understand that that’s something they have to deal with.
‘It was unfortunate for both parties, and you’ve got people speaking out about something they don’t know what they’re talking about,’ the four-time NBA champion continued.
‘Daryl Morey was right — whenever you see something going on anywhere in the world, you should have the right to say, ‘That’s not right’ and that’s what he did.’
Shaquille O’Neal, left, Charles Barkley and others discuss recent news about the NBA and China on ‘NBA on TNT’ on Tuesday night
The NBA is standing by Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, pictured, despite demands by the Chinese government and various business partners that he be fired
‘Especially with social media. We can say whatever we want to say, when we want to say it.’
He did acknowledge that when it comes to business, ‘sometimes you have to tiptoe around things.’
Morey tweeted in support of the anti-government protesters on October 4, saying, ‘Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong.’
As a result, several Chinese partners cut ties with the NBA, its largest broadcaster refused to air pre-season games taking place in the country and the government called for Morey to be fired.
China did not broadcast or stream two games that were held in the country between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets while the NBA canceled many players appearances.
Some Chinese corporate partners of the NBA have also scrapped or suspended relations with the league.
Commissioner Adam Silver said last week that the NBA had suffered ‘substantial’ losses in China over Morey’s since-deleted tweet.
Nonetheless, the NBA is standing by Morey despite demands by the Chinese government and various business partners that he be fired.
Daryl Morey tweeted in support of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests on October 4
Following Morey’s tweet, which came before the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets were set to play a pair of preseason exhibitions in China, many of the NBA’s signs were removed
Protesters held placards that says, ‘Stand with NBA’, during a demo in Hong Kong last week
Hundreds of protesters gathered to express their anger about Lebron James’s tweet and to show support to the General Manager of the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey
Lakers superstar LeBron James criticized Morey’s support for the protesters
Morey has not addressed the controversy since several tweets attempting to clarify his position on the protests.
A further controversy was created after Lakers superstar LeBron James criticized Morey’s support for the protesters.
James came under fire from US lawmakers and others who accused him of pandering to the repressive Chinese government or of being motivated by financial concerns.
James has a lifetime endorsement deal worth tens of millions with Nike, which does big business in China