The NBA Grovels to China

The National Basketball Association found itself in the middle of a political firestorm of its own making when the Houston Rockets' general manager tweeted something simple and admirable: "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong." The NBA's first statement was cowardly. It began: "We recognize that the views expressed by... Daryl Morey have deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China, which is regrettable." Morey buckled and deleted his tweet. The NBA then went overseas to grovel. A statement posted on the NBA's Weibo social media network in China stated that they were "extremely disappointed in the inappropriate comment," and as a result, Morey "has undoubtedly seriously hurt the feelings of Chinese basketball fans." China is a huge and lucrative market for the NBA. If business means turning your back on freedom while defending one of the most brutally repressive regimes in human history -- so be it.-- More...