The NBA/China Controversy

[SHFT]

https://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2019/10/pro-hong-kong-shirts-toronto-raptors-opening-game/

This is glorious!!!

Never doubt that a group of thoughtful committed citizens could protest so effectively that the evil capitalist machine could only look on in horror.

This is so disrespectful, the night should be about the organization, the fans, and the players with hanging the banner and the rings. Pick Chinese New Year jersey night to do this type of ****. SMH

Hmmm....new account after the controversy with exactly 1 post. I dont think you really care about the organization, the fans, the players, the banner OR the rings.

[MadDogSHWA]

https://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2019/10/pro-hong-kong-shirts-toronto-raptors-opening-game/

This is glorious!!!

Never doubt that a group of thoughtful committed citizens could protest so effectively that the evil capitalist machine could only look on in horror.

This is so disrespectful, the night should be about the organization, the fans, and the players with hanging the banner and the rings. Pick Chinese New Year jersey night to do this type of ****. SMH

People wearing t-shirts and yelling at a basketball game is disrespectful?

It's only an issue if the security makes it an issue. If they create a riot because they tried to kick out 7K people that's on them.

[JYD]

This is so disrespectful, the night should be about the organization, the fans, and the players with hanging the banner and the rings. Pick Chinese New Year jersey night to do this type of ****. SMH

I'm guessing NBA fans care about the seriousness of a league they love doing business with a totalitarian regime. And that's the topic, it's nothing to do with Chinese culture. The fact NBA fans generally have been so outspoken so loudly and quickly when people like Silver or Lebron even put a toe in the wishy washy pool on this issue makes me even more proud to be an NBA fan.

[HomeOfTheChamps]

This is so disrespectful, the night should be about the organization, the fans, and the players with hanging the banner and the rings. Pick Chinese New Year jersey night to do this type of ****. SMH

I'm guessing NBA fans care about the seriousness of a league they love doing business with a totalitarian regime. And that's the topic, it's nothing to do with Chinese culture. The fact NBA fans generally have been so outspoken so loudly and quickly when people like Silver or Lebron even put a toe in the wishy washy pool on this issue makes me even more proud to be an NBA fan.

I'm just saying there is a time and place to show support to Hong Kong (like Chinese jersey night), the night shouldn't be overshadowed by these politics.

[JYD]

I'm just saying there is a time and place to show support to Hong Kong (like Chinese jersey night), the night shouldn't be overshadowed by these politics.

Sounds like the perfect time and place to me, spotlight is on. I don't consider being anti-authoritarian a political thing, it's a moral thing. And when people have a chance to make their voice heard to stand up for their moral beliefs, they should seize the opportunity, AKA the opposite of Lebron.

In addition to the shirts, a chant would be really effective. Silver is gonna be on the mic for a bit, lots of press coverage at that moment. Hearing a "we love Hong Kong" chant as the backdrop to his speech would be super effective.

Just for the Silver speech part. Then we can celebrate the champs. Win-win!

[dalton749]

I'm just saying there is a time and place to show support to Hong Kong (like Chinese jersey night), the night shouldn't be overshadowed by these politics.

Sounds like the perfect time and place to me, spotlight is on. I don't consider being anti-authoritarian a political thing, it's a moral thing. And when people have a chance to make their voice heard to stand up for their moral beliefs, they should seize the opportunity, AKA the opposite of Lebron.

In addition to the shirts, a chant would be really effective. Silver is gonna be on the mic for a bit, lots of press coverage at that moment. Hearing a "we love Hong Kong" chant as the backdrop to his speech would be super effective.

Just for the Silver speech part. Then we can celebrate the champs. Win-win!

So you would rather people come away talking about how the fans cared more about protesting this issue that has hasn’t involved our team at all instead of celebrating their first championship?

I’ll be pissed if this happens and so will everyone on the team and in the organization. It’s absolutely not the place for it no matter if it’s in support of a good or bad thing.

It boggles my mind how some people think this is a good idea.

[Red_Claw]

Isn't there another way to send a message other than producing pure chaos? These sort of protest really set things back instead of moving them forward. Bringing politics (international no less) into a game was Morey's only mistake and this protest only repeats that mistake.

[JYD]

So you would rather people come away talking about how the fans cared more about protesting this issue that has hasn’t involved our team at all instead of celebrating their first championship?

If that's not how you want to roll, that's your prerogative, but I don't base my actions on the potential perceptions of others. The great thing about freedom of speech in a democracy is the ability for individuals to express themselves how they see fit. If more people are interested in voicing concern, they will, if they're not that interested, they won't.

In China, and other regimes like it, you don't have this option.

Some things are bigger than basketball. I'm surprised you're unaware this is something Masai himself talks about all the time.

[Hero_Panda]

If that's not how you want to roll, that's your prerogative, but I don't base my actions on the potential perceptions of others. The great thing about freedom of speech in a democracy is the ability for individuals to express themselves how they see fit. If more people are interested in voicing concern, they will, if they're not that interested, they won't.

In China, and other regimes like it, you don't have this option.

Some things are bigger than basketball. I'm surprised you're unaware this is something Masai himself talks about all the time.

Yes some things are bigger than basketball. But this is a historic night for the fans and the city. Bringing politics into this night would certainly bring unnecessary vibe in the crowd, where we should all be celebrating the team's first (and maybe only) championship.

You want to hand out the shirts on the 2nd game? Be my guest. But not on the night where fans have been looking forward to seeing the championship banner raised up. Alot of us have been waiting since the team's inception to see this happen.

[MadDogSHWA]

I'm just saying there is a time and place to show support to Hong Kong (like Chinese jersey night), the night shouldn't be overshadowed by these politics.

Sounds like the perfect time and place to me, spotlight is on. I don't consider being anti-authoritarian a political thing, it's a moral thing. And when people have a chance to make their voice heard to stand up for their moral beliefs, they should seize the opportunity, AKA the opposite of Lebron.

In addition to the shirts, a chant would be really effective. Silver is gonna be on the mic for a bit, lots of press coverage at that moment. Hearing a "we love Hong Kong" chant as the backdrop to his speech would be super effective.

Just for the Silver speech part. Then we can celebrate the champs. Win-win!

So you would rather people come away talking about how the fans cared more about protesting this issue that has hasn’t involved our team at all instead of celebrating their first championship?

I’ll be pissed if this happens and so will everyone on the team and in the organization. It’s absolutely not the place for it no matter if it’s in support of a good or bad thing.

It boggles my mind how some people think this is a good idea.

What if I told you it was possible to have a small chant during Silvers time on the mic AND celebrate our first championship.

[raptorstime]

Bad look for the raptors, keep politics out

[djsunyc]

tv won't show the folks with t-shirts.

[JYD]

[

Yes some things are bigger than basketball. But this is a historic night for the fans and the city. Bringing politics into this night would certainly bring unnecessary vibe in the crowd, where we should all be celebrating the team's first (and maybe only) championship.

You want to hand out the shirts on the 2nd game? Be my guest. But not on the night where fans have been looking forward to seeing the championship raised up. Alot of us have been waiting since the team's inception to see this happen.

I'd love to hear how t-shirts would ruin your enjoyment. I'm not sure what 'unnecessary vibe' means either.

Sounds awfully 'first world problems' to me.

The equivalency of talking about China as talking about politics is also tiresome. Right and wrong isn't politics.

I think places like Canada, which is and has been a great place to live for such a long time, have a side effect of having the society develop into a kind of bubble. A lot of people who think the world is more secure than it is and self-rights itself more than it does, and also a lot of people who assume the way of life they're accustomed to can never be challenged. Because to this point in their lives, it never really has. The result is a place where people talk about the size of notches on their cell phones, or maybe someone's t-shirt ruining their vibe.

I'm also a part of 'alot of us', the day one fans, btw. It doesn't bother me one bit, in fact it would make me super proud if our fans made a statement, and I'd enjoy the night even more. Don't pretend to speak for anyone else but yourself.

[Hero_Panda]

This is one of those agree to disagree because I'm not only one who has the same sentiment, even though my post was not of the intent of "speaking for everyone".

And a "Free Hong King" T-shirt is more than just a t-shirt. This is not like one of those ironic "Anti-Social Social Club" shirts.

As for my way of life, believe me, my way of life really has been challenged even though I live in Canada. Not to the extent that China/HK are, obviously, but it has been challenged in terms of life and death. That is way I hold onto my joys (Raptors championship banner) very close to me, because I know they don't come often.

[djsunyc]

Bad look for the raptors, keep politics out

raptors have nothing to do with this.

[whoknows]

This is so disrespectful, the night should be about the organization, the fans, and the players with hanging the banner and the rings. Pick Chinese New Year jersey night to do this type of ****. SMH

I'm guessing NBA fans care about the seriousness of a league they love doing business with a totalitarian regime. And that's the topic, it's nothing to do with Chinese culture. The fact NBA fans generally have been so outspoken so loudly and quickly when people like Silver or Lebron even put a toe in the wishy washy pool on this issue makes me even more proud to be an NBA fan.

I'm just saying there is a time and place to show support to Hong Kong (like Chinese jersey night), the night shouldn't be overshadowed by these politics.

"Strike the iron while it's hot" - best way to send the message (since SiIver is present) to the NBA brass and their mouthpieces to stop being hypocrites!
Also strong message to the world that Canadians are standing up for human rights around the globe!

[The Flying Gent]

Bad look for the raptors, keep politics out

At this point in time using the 'stick to sports' cliche or any the the variations thereof is just the same as holding up a sign that says 'i'm an idiot'.

[shefcurry]

The vanity of the modern era is that everyone feels the imperative to speak out on their pet issues, as if a thousand voices shouting somehow helps the world become quieter and more peaceful. It is a self-centered attempt to recreate the world in your own image.

What the world needs is less talking, and more listening.

Sport has always been a neutral ground where we can come together despite our differences and unite around a common team/cause. Bringing politics into sport is dismantling the last safe place where our differences can be overlooked for a couple of hours and reminding ourselves that we are all the same.

Politicize sport and you are removing the last safe haven for a fractured society to unite. This is not sociologically smart.

[40 Guzzle]

The Raptors championship afterglow was already dimmed by free agent shenanigans & tampering.

I hope opening night is strictly about celebrating the chip.

[Vaclac]

Isn't there another way to send a message other than producing pure chaos? These sort of protest really set things back instead of moving them forward. Bringing politics (international no less) into a game was Morey's only mistake and this protest only repeats that mistake.

He didn't bring politics into a game. It would be a more fair criticism to say politics should have no place in the game if he made a statement during a game or at some event that was actually affiliated with the NBA. He used his personal twitter. What other way should he have sent this message? I think this fact really highlights that the "chaos" was not caused by Morey's decision, but by China's decision to react apoplectically to it. To believe that Morey bears responsibility for the chaos requires a belief that he, merely by being employed by the NBA, had a duty to self-censor completely, even when speaking just for himself in a way that has nothing really to do with the NBA. It ought to be clear that that standard is not one we would like to apply across the country.