China cancels NBA stuff / Silver issues statement (pg1) /Ongoing discussion...

[13th Man]

The NBA shouldn't stop here, in my opinion.

The fascistic Modi regime in India, Erdogan's authoritarianism in Turkey, no NBA games in Tel Aviv until they stop building settlements in the West Bank, and any business dealings in Saudi Arabia - cut all ties and become the only league to NOT accept financial contributions from Flagrant Human Rights abusers.

The league, nor the players, have the stones, unfortunately.

This is the problem with friendship under capitalism. The NBA, like America, is complicit in their business partner's crimes against humanity.

Whichever league that does the things mentioned above will attract MUCH more revenue than expected.

I thought you were being sarcastic at first then realized that you're not. Then Adam Silver's responsibility has just grown tenfold to become a politician and human rights activist, responsible for 10x more than what he's been trained and paid to do.

Wouldn't a simpler solution be to have the NBA be about basketball and not meddle in any politics or any types of activism?

[spikeslovechild]

The NBA shouldn't stop here, in my opinion.

The fascistic Modi regime in India, Erdogan's authoritarianism in Turkey, no NBA games in Tel Aviv until they stop building settlements in the West Bank, and any business dealings in Saudi Arabia - cut all ties and become the only league to NOT accept financial contributions from Flagrant Human Rights abusers.

The league, nor the players, have the stones, unfortunately.

This is the problem with friendship under capitalism. The NBA, like America, is complicit in their business partner's crimes against humanity.

Whichever league that does the things mentioned above will attract MUCH more revenue than expected.

The NBA is a business. I sort of laugh because it's Morey but I would have a real problem with the NBA as a league getting involved in foreign politics they shouldn't be involved in domestic politics.

It's also important to remember the Chinese fans who watch NBA games and are fans of Harden are not necessarily CCP members. They don't get a real vote. They just want to watch their favorite players dribble a basketball so lets be careful here and to be clear I'm not saying you are doing this but I've read numerous people conflate the government of china with the chinese people who are just as much victims of the communist party as the Hong Kong protesters they just don't know it.

[israelfirst]

This sucks so much. I was really looking forward to this game.

The NBA will never be the same without the passionate fanbase they have in China.

the nba was doing fine before the expansion into china. And the additional revenue the nba makes from China has no effect on You and I

[NeutralObserver]

The NBA shouldn't stop here, in my opinion.

The fascistic Modi regime in India, Erdogan's authoritarianism in Turkey, no NBA games in Tel Aviv until they stop building settlements in the West Bank, and any business dealings in Saudi Arabia - cut all ties and become the only league to NOT accept financial contributions from Flagrant Human Rights abusers.

The league, nor the players, have the stones, unfortunately.

This is the problem with friendship under capitalism. The NBA, like America, is complicit in their business partner's crimes against humanity.

Whichever league that does the things mentioned above will attract MUCH more revenue than expected.

I thought you were being sarcastic at first then realized that you're not. Then Adam Silver's responsibility has just grown tenfold to become a politician and human rights activist, responsible for 10x more than what he's been trained and paid to do.

Wouldn't a simpler solution be to have the NBA be about basketball and not meddle in any politics or any types of activism?

It would be simpler...and that's the problem, buddy.

[HartfordWhalers]

Shame to see a provider of so many discounted uniforms being treated this way by the league.

[13th Man]

How often do they do that? 90%+ of the time, you turned on the football game, you see people playing football. You turned on a basketball game, you see basketball. How often do you hear about those topics in the middle of the game? Almost never. If you hear about the political issues, it is because you want to read about it online. So I don't see how this affects the product. If you don't like the politics, don't click on twitter links or read articles. But the fact that you do should tell you why politics is a part of life and you can't just get rid of it. It is human nature to be curious about what others are saying and it is human nature to say it. You keep saying where it is going to stop as if players are not playing the game anymore. They are, but they are also public figures that will voice their opinions.

As for putting policies in place, unless they ban the use of Twitter, facebook, etc, how are they going to stop it? NBA players have multiple platforms they can use outside of work hours. And why stop it? Social commentary is part of the reason the players have followers and it increase popularity of the NBA's reach.

Again, If you've been following my argument, nowhere did I suggest that they stop using OTHER platforms to voice their concerns. The Morey case is different because the Chinese took great exception to it in any case, they consider his words a representation of the Houston Rockets and the NBA.

When I go watch a game or watch an ESPN broadcast, I don't want to hear peeps try to push their political agenda onto me. I watch sports as an escape from all of this. You're ok with it because those things align with your ideologies, what if they pushed a different agenda in which you don't agree with? It starts off with race, then transforms into LGTBQ rights, then onto bashing Trump, then onto who knows what else? We're already being pushed extreme biased views by 90% of the mainstream media, sports was an outlet in which I would be free of this. Also notice that all of the SJW issues pushed are left leaning, this is a fact I'm sure you cannot be that blind not to see this.

The movie industry has already been tainted, cable news outlets, the press, the comedy industry, and now sports entertainment. There is basically nothing left that is sacred in its purest form and you're ok with that? Look what happened to Dave Chappelle not too long ago, he got 17% on Rotten tomatoes while getting a 99% rating from the real public audience.

Can we not have just one source of entertainment to leave politics alone?

There are 1230 games played each year in the NBA. How many of those games do you see athletes pushing a political agenda? How many protests are there? You are acting like players are talking politics instead of playing the game. They ARE using other platforms to voice their concerns. So what is the problem? They are not talking about politics during the game.

And you are wrong about my reasoning for supporting the players. Colby Covington is an MMA fighter that is a right wing extremist. He called Brazilians filthy animals and wears MAGA hats. He visited the white house and stood with Trump and called out the Eagles for not wanting to visit. He has had said some of the most controversial things. And you know what? I criticize him, but I don't think he should shut up. He has his platform and he is free to use it.

This isn't about left wing vs right wing. This is about the simple notion that taking politics out of sports is not realistic. People are going to talk about their viewpoints. Part of LBJ's job is to visit places and talk to fans and sometimes he will speak up about social injustice (or what he perceived to be social injustice). Where do you draw the line what is politics?

Lastly, it is not so much that I am ok with it, I just don't think it is realistic to pretend politics isn't integrated into sports in some way, shape or form because sports is a part of society. The only source of entertainment that doesn't have politics is probably porn. And even that I am not certain.

As a fan, I don't want to see or hear ANY political discussion during a sports broadcast. Do it on your own time, knock yourself out. It doesn't get mush simpler than this. Small protest a leads to protest b, to protest c to protest X where a crapstorm ensues.

Just leave it out of the game and the broadcasts please. Push your political agendas elsewhere, we've already been plagued with it everywhere else. I'd like to enjoy my sports in its purity if that's possible, something to de-stress and get my mind off of real world issues, especially political ones.

[samir7maher]

The NBA shouldn't stop here, in my opinion.

The fascistic Modi regime in India, Erdogan's authoritarianism in Turkey, no NBA games in Tel Aviv until they stop building settlements in the West Bank, and any business dealings in Saudi Arabia - cut all ties and become the only league to NOT accept financial contributions from Flagrant Human Rights abusers.

The league, nor the players, have the stones, unfortunately.

This is the problem with friendship under capitalism. The NBA, like America, is complicit in their business partner's crimes against humanity.

Whichever league that does the things mentioned above will attract MUCH more revenue than expected.

I thought you were being sarcastic at first then realized that you're not. Then Adam Silver's responsibility has just grown tenfold to become a politician and human rights activist, responsible for 10x more than what he's been trained and paid to do.

Wouldn't a simpler solution be to have the NBA be about basketball and not meddle in any politics or any types of activism?

It would be simpler...and that's the problem, buddy.

exactly if that the line than you need 2 avoid all politics that means no lebron statements about injustice in the usa

by the way if iam not mistaken lebron is playing in china soon iam waiting for his statement look how much pricipal he has for human rights. i dont he will give some non answer 2 protect his chinese interests

[DaPessimist]

Not a good look for the NBA to be pandering to the Chinese Government. Embarrassing really.

[NeutralObserver]

Sports and Politics will FOREVER be connected...for better or for worse.

Entertainment is used as a vehicle for politics and this pertains to all avenues of entertainment- not just sports.

[CarMalone]

Not a good look for the NBA to be pandering to the Chinese Government. Embarrassing really.

This isn’t just the sentiment of the government, almost every overseas Chinese friend I know was taken aback by Morey’s comment. Chinese people are accustomed to hearing comments about human rights and trade practices, but issues like sovereignty, Tibet, and Taiwan strike a special nerve.

[Pointgod]

Not a good look for the NBA to be pandering to the Chinese Government. Embarrassing really.

This isn’t just the sentiment of the government, almost every overseas Chinese friend I know was taken aback by Morey’s comment. Chinese people are accustomed to hearing comments about human rights and trade practices, but issues like sovereignty, Tibet, and Taiwan strike a special nerve.

Considering that the government feeds people propaganda and limits information that citizens see, yes I think it’s absolutely pandering to the government.

[CarMalone]

Not a good look for the NBA to be pandering to the Chinese Government. Embarrassing really.

This isn’t just the sentiment of the government, almost every overseas Chinese friend I know was taken aback by Morey’s comment. Chinese people are accustomed to hearing comments about human rights and trade practices, but issues like sovereignty, Tibet, and Taiwan strike a special nerve.

Considering that the government feeds people propaganda and limits information that citizens see, yes I think it’s absolutely pandering to the government.

These are overseas Chinese-Americans, people that grew up in the US and most of whom do not even speak Mandarin. They are exposed to as much Chinese government propaganda as the average American.

[homecourtloss]

Whatever. NBA shouldn't bow down to China. Constant human rights issues, abusing protestors...

China is literally putting Uighurs in “re-education camps” from which people “disappear.” They’re publivally forcing couples to divorce, publically forcing people to eat pork/drink alcohol.

The NBA should be goddamned embarrassed that it’s seek Chinese money when things like this are going on there.

We have more people in prison, than all of China, w/ the re-education camps. We need to fix our ****, before complaining about others. China's population is over 2x ours. Who should be pointing fingers where?

Yeah, we have problems, but these two things aren’t equivalent. These people have done NOTHING wrong other than to believe in a faith the Communist Party doesn’t want them to believe in. They have been arrested, removed from their homes, sent to work camps, even killed simply for believing in something. Since Chairman Mao’s time, the number of Uighurs “cleansed, “removed,” “destined,” etc., is certainly in the millions.

And that’s just ONE group. The NBA shouldn’t seeking out this dirty money.

[homecourtloss]

China is literally putting Uighurs in “re-education camps” from which people “disappear.” They’re publivally forcing couples to divorce, publically forcing people to eat pork/drink alcohol.

The NBA should be goddamned embarrassed that it’s seek Chinese money when things like this are going on there.

For a league that prides itself on being progressive... it's a shame. The almighty dollar I suppose.

It's a LOT more than a shame imo. It proves that all their other progressive social justice stuff is just posturing, it is absolutely meaningless if they don't back it up in practice. Any time Adam Silver or an NBA exec opens their mouth about social justice they should be booed into silence. Complete hypocrites.

[CarMalone]

China is literally putting Uighurs in “re-education camps” from which people “disappear.” They’re publivally forcing couples to divorce, publically forcing people to eat pork/drink alcohol.

The NBA should be goddamned embarrassed that it’s seek Chinese money when things like this are going on there.

We have more people in prison, than all of China, w/ the re-education camps. We need to fix our ****, before complaining about others. China's population is over 2x ours. Who should be pointing fingers where?

Yeah, we have problems, but these two things aren’t equivalent. These people have done NOTHING wrong other than to believe in a faith the Communist Party doesn’t want them to believe in. They have been arrested, removed from their homes, sent to work camps, even killed simply for believing in something. Since Chairman Mao’s time, the number of Uighurs “cleansed, “removed,” “destined,” etc., is certainly in the millions.

And that’s just ONE group. The NBA shouldn’t seeking out this dirty money.

The Uyghers generally had a neutral relationship with the communist party up until the early 2000s. Things really disintegrated around 2009 when there was a wave of knife attacks against ethnic Han. The Uygher re-education camps started in 2014. Are the camps wrong? Yes, but your characterization of the Han-Uygher relation is very inaccurate and I have no idea where you got your death count of "millions".

[moderndarwin]

I’m curious. If Lebron or Kobe or Steph or someone tweeted this instead of Morey what would the NBA do? They ate individuals tweeting under their personal account. Enes Kanter probably has posted anti Turkey stuff i would assume.

[Pointgod]

This isn’t just the sentiment of the government, almost every overseas Chinese friend I know was taken aback by Morey’s comment. Chinese people are accustomed to hearing comments about human rights and trade practices, but issues like sovereignty, Tibet, and Taiwan strike a special nerve.

Considering that the government feeds people propaganda and limits information that citizens see, yes I think it’s absolutely pandering to the government.

These are overseas Chinese-Americans, people that grew up in the US and most of whom do not even speak Mandarin. They are exposed to as much Chinese government propaganda as the average American.

If they live in China they’re exposed to government propaganda and will receive limited information except when they leave the country. Moreys tweet was the most banal, bare minimum tweet someone could make on the issue.

[CarMalone]

Considering that the government feeds people propaganda and limits information that citizens see, yes I think it’s absolutely pandering to the government.

These are overseas Chinese-Americans, people that grew up in the US and most of whom do not even speak Mandarin. They are exposed to as much Chinese government propaganda as the average American.

If they live in China they’re exposed to government propaganda and will receive limited information except when they leave the country. Moreys tweet was the most banal, bare minimum tweet someone could make on the issue.

Did you even read my response? These are Chinese-Americans, they do not live in China. They are American citizens, they are exposed to as much Chinese propaganda as the average American.

[SomeBunghole]

These are overseas Chinese-Americans, people that grew up in the US and most of whom do not even speak Mandarin. They are exposed to as much Chinese government propaganda as the average American.

That makes them even bigger pieces of garbage. It's easy to support human rights abuses when you don't have to live in the country that's perpetrating them.

[13th Man]

Sports and Politics will FOREVER be connected...for better or for worse.

Entertainment is used as a vehicle for politics and this pertains to all avenues of entertainment- not just sports.

It wasn't when I was growing up, except for the Olympics which is understandable. Cable news networks used to be respected as non-biased news, even CNN. Late night talk shows made fun of politicians equally, even SNL had their hosts like Norm McDonald that poked fun at the Clintons incessantly. Now if you have a guy with one record of saying something against their narrative, he gets fired immediately. Movie stars were never political activists, they just acted and did their thing. Sports shows only reported on sports, not issues on social justice. Players used to respect the anthem until Kaepernick.

So no. From my observation, entertainment was rarely used as a vehicle to push one's political biases until only a few years ago. It really has gotten out of hand and a lot of people are frankly sick of it.

SJWs are running rampant these days and from my observation are the biggest hypocrites. As Jordan Peterson put it, clean up your room and sort yourself out before worrying about others.