Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James finally broke his silence on the current controversy between the NBA and China on Monday night, and the reactions have been far from supportive.
In his comments, James criticized Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey for speaking about a situation that “he wasn’t educated on.”
This approach has led fans and critics alike to speak out against James, who is seemingly cowing to the Chinese government, which has an apparent inability to take criticism from members of the NBA.
While James tried to smooth things over in a second message that he published to his personal Twitter, it has not quelled the social media storm that the four-time MVP now seems to be at the center of.
This video is unbelievable. Remember, LeBron had a week to come up with this answer. China has to have this dude on its payroll.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 15, 2019
Good. Lord.
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) October 15, 2019
So @KingJames says the ONE GUY who spoke up for freedom and liberty and against tyranny "wasn't educated on the issue?"
You mean, he needs to be re-educated?
This is an embarrassment. https://t.co/GWMNvu0pHi
— Larry O'Connor (@LarryOConnor) October 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/SonnyBunch/status/1183926243747680262
Max Kellerman on LeBron James selling out
"When there's a real price to pay for taking a stand, then who will stand up? Muhammad Ali, in this case not LeBron James" pic.twitter.com/aDl2FKwDww— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 15, 2019
Let me clear up the confusion. Lebron James cares more about selling sneakers in China than American values
His performative wokeness over the years has been utterly exposed https://t.co/Bf7hbmBFmk
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) October 15, 2019
One interesting aspect of this outpouring of criticism is that very little of it is coming from James’ colleagues in the NBA. Still, there have been a few to come forward to speak out against him.
https://twitter.com/andrewbogut/status/1184069838953533440
-Haven’t seen or talked to my family 5 years
-Jailed my dad
-My siblings can’t find jobs
-Revoked my passport
-International arrest warrant
-My family can’t leave the country
-Got Death Threats everyday
-Got attacked, harassed
-Tried to kidnap me in IndonesiaFREEDOM IS NOT FREE
— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) October 15, 2019
Of course, the vast majority of criticism is coming from Internet and social media trolls who try to hate on James regardless of what he does. The outpouring of disapproval from seemingly unbiased sources is what is most notable.
The drama surrounding the NBA and China is clearly ongoing. James’ comments are the latest chapter in the continuing story, but it likely won’t be the last.
With the 2019-20 regular season right around the corner, it will be fascinating to see how the league at large tries to move on from this difficult time so as to keep it from muddying the waters once meaningful games finally begin.
