Joe Tsai's China Matters

[Paradise]

I don’t think anyone is less sympathetic to a country being seized by their own people everyday in a new digital age dictatorship era starting in 2022.

Having their elders sleep in small rooms and stuff because their too old to keep up with the tech boom and aren’t capable of working are just small examples of the stuff going on in HK and China as a whole but at the end of the day, it’s a little hard to suddenly cherry pick their HK protesting revolution and obvious brutality when these athletes could be essentially killed for speaking out or even potentially attacked by government orders.

So, it was very reckless from a safety standpoint to put others in harms way like that just before a trip that clearly was hard to re-route at that point.

Either way, this whole logic of hypocrisy is strange when we did live in a time when you couldn’t speak up against the injustices against people of color or melanin.

Even, indigenous people who were slaughtered in masses on a day we celebrate can’t properly be criticized openly without backlash. From Columbus Day to Thanksgiving. We still aren’t past certain truths in this own country of free speech so it isn’t an attempt at ignorance if a certain group of people don’t feel the need to put themselves in harms way against a foreign government while we have companies that are directly tied to HK’s production and China’s partnerships...being silent on the same issue.

Apple, Tesla, clothing stores, etc all companies that we are in deep ties with who often do business are also quiet. Unfortunately, black male athletes don’t have the capacity of taking a financial hit like Apple could or any of these companies but the reality is these companies are the ones who truly don’t care.

I don’t think a single athlete could witness the kind of stuff happening there and bat an eye but it’s very difficult to tell a minority group of people to sacrifice their lifetime earnings or freedom abroad for a cause that the people there truly hasn’t reciprocated in the past before these protests were a thing.

I’m also confused as to why this didn’t spill over into MLB which is pretty huge sport in China with a title dubbed as “America’s past time”...so to a certain extent there is a level of silly envy coming from the pro HK movement side of this.

You can say it’s a human rights issue but so is the fact black people lack a nationality and are still systematically oppressed.

What HK is seeing can be compared to modern day slavery and that honestly wasn’t 100 years ago...people are still being hung from trees in the 21st century but if we can’t escape the policies from our own government who has a president gone rogue in office...how can anyone seriously blame them for not saying anything?

We’re wrong as a league, sport and country for not just pulling partnership but at the end of the day, these people are more concerned with triggering a cold war than trying to make a point that would ultimately not solve the problem.

Like I said before, Morey is silent when it comes to the killing of the mother in Dallas or the Amber Guyger situation also in Dallas...so is Mark Cuban.

So, I don’t care for the cherry picking in any of these situation. It’s hypocritical on both ends.

Can we discuss the fact everyone is silent on Muslims in this country being put into concentration camps? It’s a travesty there but I don’t know how much support was shown really for the cause globally because the reputation of the Muslims of American and Middle East still remain terroristic.

[Diggr14]

Joe Tsai can go fck himself.

bring back proky

Seriously.

You cant change owners. Those owners dont have the balls to make an owner force a sale unless the guy goes full Donald Sterling. But really, Tsai's compliance to the CCP and his opinions are much more damaging to our society long term than some crotchety old a**hat like Sterling was. Tsai actually matters and has huge money and huge money in the CCP behind him. If it were me, I'd never allow these cockroaches from countries that abuse their people and pay them a few bucks a day to then take their money and try and spread authoritarianism around the world while appearing to play by the rules of global enterprise and capitalism. Personally, I'd be ok if we made it a national priority to cut off every appendage of chinese business coming to America. This includes sending Tsai home with a check for the NETS and saying nice knowing ya... gtfo.

[Diggr14]

Apple, Tesla, clothing stores, etc all companies that we are in deep ties with who often do business are also quiet. Unfortunately, black male athletes don’t have the capacity of taking a financial hit like Apple could or any of these companies but the reality is these companies are the ones who truly don’t care.

You can argue that they invested in the Chinese marketplace fully knowing that they are in a cold war with the West of sorts right now. The Chinese are not an ally, they are an adversary, period.. If you are dumb enough (as a business) to do business with them for the short term buck.. then it is on your business to pull out and avoid having your business repatriated (guarantee you this starts happening within a decade). These mega companies, the NBA, and athletes (doesnt matter if black, white, or whatever) need to get out of China before it's too late for their bottom-lines and reputation.

[MrDollarBills]

I don’t think anyone is less sympathetic to a country being seized by their own people everyday in a new digital age dictatorship era starting in 2022.

Having their elders sleep in small rooms and stuff because their too old to keep up with the tech boom and aren’t capable of working are just small examples of the stuff going on in HK and China as a whole but at the end of the day, it’s a little hard to suddenly cherry pick their HK protesting revolution and obvious brutality when these athletes could be essentially killed for speaking out or even potentially attacked by government orders.

So, it was very reckless from a safety standpoint to put others in harms way like that just before a trip that clearly was hard to re-route at that point.

Either way, this whole logic of hypocrisy is strange when we did live in a time when you couldn’t speak up against the injustices against people of color or melanin.

Even, indigenous people who were slaughtered in masses on a day we celebrate can’t properly be criticized openly without backlash. From Columbus Day to Thanksgiving. We still aren’t past certain truths in this own country of free speech so it isn’t an attempt at ignorance if a certain group of people don’t feel the need to put themselves in harms way against a foreign government while we have companies that are directly tied to HK’s production and China’s partnerships...being silent on the same issue.

Apple, Tesla, clothing stores, etc all companies that we are in deep ties with who often do business are also quiet. Unfortunately, black male athletes don’t have the capacity of taking a financial hit like Apple could or any of these companies but the reality is these companies are the ones who truly don’t care.

I don’t think a single athlete could witness the kind of stuff happening there and bat an eye but it’s very difficult to tell a minority group of people to sacrifice their lifetime earnings or freedom abroad for a cause that the people there truly hasn’t reciprocated in the past before these protests were a thing.

I’m also confused as to why this didn’t spill over into MLB which is pretty huge sport in China with a title dubbed as “America’s past time”...so to a certain extent there is a level of silly envy coming from the pro HK movement side of this.

You can say it’s a human rights issue but so is the fact black people lack a nationality and are still systematically oppressed.

What HK is seeing can be compared to modern day slavery and that honestly wasn’t 100 years ago...people are still being hung from trees in the 21st century but if we can’t escape the policies from our own government who has a president gone rogue in office...how can anyone seriously blame them for not saying anything?

We’re wrong as a league, sport and country for not just pulling partnership but at the end of the day, these people are more concerned with triggering a cold war than trying to make a point that would ultimately not solve the problem.

Like I said before, Morey is silent when it comes to the killing of the mother in Dallas or the Amber Guyger situation also in Dallas...so is Mark Cuban.

So, I don’t care for the cherry picking in any of these situation. It’s hypocritical on both ends.

Can we discuss the fact everyone is silent on Muslims in this country being put into concentration camps? It’s a travesty there but I don’t know how much support was shown really for the cause globally because the reputation of the Muslims of American and Middle East still remain terroristic.

well said.

[MrDollarBills]

Apple, Tesla, clothing stores, etc all companies that we are in deep ties with who often do business are also quiet. Unfortunately, black male athletes don’t have the capacity of taking a financial hit like Apple could or any of these companies but the reality is these companies are the ones who truly don’t care.

You can argue that they invested in the Chinese marketplace fully knowing that they are in a cold war with the West of sorts right now. The Chinese are not an ally, they are an adversary, period.. If you are dumb enough (as a business) to do business with them for the short term buck.. then it is on your business to pull out and avoid having your business repatriated (guarantee you this starts happening within a decade). These mega companies, the NBA, and athletes (doesnt matter if black, white, or whatever) need to get out of China before it's too late for their bottom-lines and reputation.

Why is the onus on the athletes? They are employees of the NBA. I'm pretty sure if you polled NBA players most of them would probably pass on this yearly China trip. Especially after this incident. Also, again I will reiterate, within that area of Asia resides a substantial anti Black sentiment.

The 30 owners of the NBA franchises need to be held to account and taken to task. Why is Lebron James being forced to offer statements but Jeannie Buss gets to remain silent?

all of this crap is pure and adulterated racism at the end of the day if you ask me. Rich, white millionaires and billionaires hiding behind their Black athletes under contract. All of this is **** ing shameful. The real culprits in this have yet to be attacked.

Lebron shouldn't have said anything and passed the buck to Jeanie Buss. all of the players need to say "please direct your questions towards the owners of the team". He **** ed up.

[MGrand15]

Gotta love it when people (like Max Kellerman) use MLK or Muhammad Ali to knock black people down.

This story has bothered me from the start and it keeps getting worse.

I think players, especially of LBJ's stature and those who have vocalized their stances on social issues in America, would've had a much more justifiable position in the public's eye if they didn't have shoe/brand deals in China. If the players were only in China to play a game and had no other ventures there, it would be much more understandable in the eyes of many, since the players could say something along the lines of... "Hey, I'm a basketball player who plays in the U.S. Obviously, I am much more aware and knowledgable of political issues that are happening at home compared to other places around the world. The league brought us over here just for a few preseason games to play for the fans who reside abroad and to increase the league's exposure."

It becomes problematic from the public's POV when they have clear business ties to China. It's very easy to read LBJ's comments as coming from a person who mainly wants to protect his financial interests over there and doesn't care how or by what means accrues money from China. Even if LeBron doesn't feel that way, he has now spoken out twice publicly and twice via Twitter. On each occasion, he has done nothing to change that perception.

On a related note, where is LeBron's publicist? They should've come up with a plan to address it after they got back from China; and if not then, especially after he gave his initial thoughts. It seems that every time he speaks on it, he makes the matter worse.

And just to lay my cards on the table...I agree with LBJ's sentiment that Morey clearly did not think about how his tweet could affect the NBA, even his own team for that matter. The fact that Morey deleted the tweet and apologized for posting it has caused me to believe that he was virtue–signaling, and it backfired tremendously.

Also, if the league and team ownership haven't talked with the players to communicate how this will be addressed league-wide going forward, they are failing them. It was the league and the teams who agreed to play overseas, not the players. As it stands right now, they've more or less left the players out to dry by making it seem as if the players are the only ones with interests abroad. That's wrong. If you're an owner of a team, I have a hard time believing that you've made your money without being cutthroat and stepping on people to make it to the top. Don't let the players face all of the scrutiny while you remain silent and act like nothing is going on.

You bring up some fair points. Part of what bothers me about this is people acting like LeBron is only protecting HIS interests. His brand, his money, etc. That's just false.

LeBron is speaking for the entire league. If he goes at China and China decides to nuke their relationship with the NBA, that's effecting EVERYONE. The league quickly loses 20-40% of their revenue + caps their potential growth. Nike currently makes all the athletic gear for the league. Obviously they're closely tied to China. What happens there? That means all the players take a pay cut, all the employees take a pay cut, lots of people lose their jobs. All of the fans in China can no longer watch NBA games. Millions of fans.

LeBron could terminate all his contracts today and still find other avenues to make ridiculous money. The losers in that scenario aren't as lucky as LeBron. And they wouldn't have a choice in the matter.

[MrDollarBills]

Gotta love it when people (like Max Kellerman) use MLK or Muhammad Ali to knock black people down.

This story has bothered me from the start and it keeps getting worse.

I think players, especially of LBJ's stature and those who have vocalized their stances on social issues in America, would've had a much more justifiable position in the public's eye if they didn't have shoe/brand deals in China. If the players were only in China to play a game and had no other ventures there, it would be much more understandable in the eyes of many, since the players could say something along the lines of... "Hey, I'm a basketball player who plays in the U.S. Obviously, I am much more aware and knowledgable of political issues that are happening at home compared to other places around the world. The league brought us over here just for a few preseason games to play for the fans who reside abroad and to increase the league's exposure."

It becomes problematic from the public's POV when they have clear business ties to China. It's very easy to read LBJ's comments as coming from a person who mainly wants to protect his financial interests over there and doesn't care how or by what means accrues money from China. Even if LeBron doesn't feel that way, he has now spoken out twice publicly and twice via Twitter. On each occasion, he has done nothing to change that perception.

On a related note, where is LeBron's publicist? They should've come up with a plan to address it after they got back from China; and if not then, especially after he gave his initial thoughts. It seems that every time he speaks on it, he makes the matter worse.

And just to lay my cards on the table...I agree with LBJ's sentiment that Morey clearly did not think about how his tweet could affect the NBA, even his own team for that matter. The fact that Morey deleted the tweet and apologized for posting it has caused me to believe that he was virtue–signaling, and it backfired tremendously.

Also, if the league and team ownership haven't talked with the players to communicate how this will be addressed league-wide going forward, they are failing them. It was the league and the teams who agreed to play overseas, not the players. As it stands right now, they've more or less left the players out to dry by making it seem as if the players are the only ones with interests abroad. That's wrong. If you're an owner of a team, I have a hard time believing that you've made your money without being cutthroat and stepping on people to make it to the top. Don't let the players face all of the scrutiny while you remain silent and act like nothing is going on.

You bring up some fair points. Part of what bothers me about this is people acting like LeBron is only protecting HIS interests. His brand, his money, etc. That's just false.

LeBron is speaking for the entire league. If he goes at China and China decides to nuke their relationship with the NBA, that's effecting EVERYONE. The league quickly loses 20-40% of their revenue + caps their potential growth. Nike currently makes all the athletic gear for the league. Obviously they're closely tied to China. What happens there? That means all the players take a pay cut, all the employees take a pay cut, lots of people lose their jobs. All of the fans in China can no longer watch NBA games. Millions of fans.

LeBron could terminate all his contracts today and still find other avenues to make ridiculous money. The losers in that scenario aren't as lucky as LeBron. And they wouldn't have a choice in the matter.

This ties into why Lebron went at Morey, and also why the Nets and Lakers players asked Adam Silver what would have happened if a player had done this instead of an executive. Dudes are pissed and rightfully so. Their only job in all of this was to go over there, have fun with the Chinese fanbase and play 2 games and be out.

instead, an entire **** show breaks out over tweet from a GM who was either drunk or just being utterly stupid.

I don't blame Lebron or any other player who got caught up in this for being upset.

[gigantes]

Oh gosh... I think if there's one thing that everyone can possibly agree on, LeBron, it's this-- you have no idea what the hell you're talking about, and you just made yourself out to be possibly the biggest NBA fool that's ever been seen.

Yes, it's all "peoples lives matter" until it leads to sheer profit differentials, no?

Haha. **** off, LeBron.

Me? I prefer Joe Harris' response, IF you've been keeping track.

[MrDollarBills]

Oh gosh... I think if there's one thing that everyone can possibly agree on, LeBron, it's this-- you have no idea what the hell you're talking about, and you just made yourself out to be possibly the biggest NBA fool that's ever been seen.

Yes, it's all "peoples lives matter" until it leads to sheer profit differentials, no?

Haha. **** off, LeBron.

Me? I prefer Joe Harris' response, IF you've been keeping track.

I think his initial comment was really sloppy, and poorly thought out (which is ironic since that is what he attacked Morey over).

Had he kept to the substance of what he said in his second statement/tweet i think it would have gone over better. I understand totally where he's coming from, but not a lot of people want to look at it from the perspective of the players that got caught in the middle of it. After reading what came out about how they felt and what they aired out to Adam Silver, I tend to lean more towards the players here. They got thrown under the bus.

and yes, Joe's response was perfect.

[gigantes]

Oh gosh... I think if there's one thing that everyone can possibly agree on, LeBron, it's this-- you have no idea what the hell you're talking about, and you just made yourself out to be possibly the biggest NBA fool that's ever been seen.

Yes, it's all "peoples lives matter" until it leads to sheer profit differentials, no?

Haha. **** off, LeBron.

Me? I prefer Joe Harris' response, IF you've been keeping track.

I think his initial comment was really sloppy, and poorly thought out (which is ironic since that is what he attacked Morey over).

Had he kept to the substance of what he said in his second statement/tweet i think it would have gone over better. I understand totally where he's coming from, but not a lot of people want to look at it from the perspective of the players that got caught in the middle of it. After reading what came out about how they felt and what they aired out to Adam Silver, I tend to lean more towards the players here. They got thrown under the bus.

and yes, Joe's response was perfect.

That's fair IMO. I'm especially thinking of someone like James Harden, caught in this mess of a whirl-storm.

Still-- I'm standing up for basic human rights, here, despite whatever awkwardness there might be. That goes beyond political dimensions, beyond 'being an American' IMO.

This stuff is about being a human being, at the beginning and end of the day. Which is why I personally stand right there with Daryl Morey, warts and all. Still, why do I even need to include "warts," anyway? Because a ruthless dictatorship got their panties in a bunch?

F-ck the CCP, and please get your head out your ass, LeBron.

[Diggr14]

Apple, Tesla, clothing stores, etc all companies that we are in deep ties with who often do business are also quiet. Unfortunately, black male athletes don’t have the capacity of taking a financial hit like Apple could or any of these companies but the reality is these companies are the ones who truly don’t care.

You can argue that they invested in the Chinese marketplace fully knowing that they are in a cold war with the West of sorts right now. The Chinese are not an ally, they are an adversary, period.. If you are dumb enough (as a business) to do business with them for the short term buck.. then it is on your business to pull out and avoid having your business repatriated (guarantee you this starts happening within a decade). These mega companies, the NBA, and athletes (doesnt matter if black, white, or whatever) need to get out of China before it's too late for their bottom-lines and reputation.

Why is the onus on the athletes? They are employees of the NBA. I'm pretty sure if you polled NBA players most of them would probably pass on this yearly China trip. Especially after this incident. Also, again I will reiterate, within that area of Asia resides a substantial anti Black sentiment.

The 30 owners of the NBA franchises need to be held to account and taken to task. Why is Lebron James being forced to offer statements but Jeannie Buss gets to remain silent?

all of this crap is pure and adulterated racism at the end of the day if you ask me. Rich, white millionaires and billionaires hiding behind their Black athletes under contract. All of this is **** ing shameful. The real culprits in this have yet to be attacked.

Lebron shouldn't have said anything and passed the buck to Jeanie Buss. all of the players need to say "please direct your questions towards the owners of the team". He **** ed up.

You do realize all LeBron has to say is this. "Im here to play basketball, I don't know anything about international politics." I can respect that.. because it's true. LeBron seems to be mad because an NBA owner criticized china and if a player had done so in his estimation that player would be fined or suspended. However, all the players do nowadays are speak on social issues they have little to knowledge of. Most of the players by and large are just repeating things they see on their echo chamber of social media. Every now and then you find a player that has strong information on an issue or a cause and delivers... that is worth a listen. For instance, Malcolm Brogdon bringing to the forefront the cause of clean water wells in Africa. The guy is ingrained in it.. and he has knowledge to speak on and be an advocate for. LeBron should just defer in the times like this where the reporters are just looking to dissect what he says and make it headlines in normally negative fashion. Defer LeBron... repeat after me, aw shucks im just here to play basketball and make fat stacks of cash. That applies to Daryl Morey too. But if they both decide to offer their opinion, I dont think either should be suspended for it.. unless you have a policy in place as a business owner for employees not to hold political opinions publicly.

In the US, the customer can decide whether they want to support an athlete or a team by the positions they take. We dont silence peoples opinions but we can choose to support and organziation or not with our $. That is the push back. That is why Colin Kaepernick isn't back in the league. Most fan bases would revolt in some capacity.. which some orgs can weather but most cant. Even if 30% of their fan base starts tuning out or starts supporting another team.. that's business killing. Kaep might have the talent still, i sort of doubt it. I wouldnt risk millions on a marginal backup QB.

[gigantes]

"This just seems really petty. like "old man yells at cloud".

For sure.

I've been wrestling with myself across these matters, and for sure, I feel like I've been a total idiot across these wack-a-doodle-times.

Look no further than the local idiot across these particular dumbass matters, right here.