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The King and His Court.
LeBron James exercised his right to free speech yesterday. King James was holding court with reporters in LA after a workout on the court. In a 45 second answer to an inaudible question James said Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey, he of the tweet of support for the protesters in Hong Kong, “wasn’t educated on the situation at hand.”
He went on to say that Morey’s foray into pro democratic support could have caused people to be harmed “not only financially, but physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” He reemphasized that we do indeed have freedom of speech, but we must be careful with how we use it because there can be a lot of negatives that come with it. And, he also said that he didn’t want to get into a war of words or sentences with Daryl.
The NBA received tremendous bipartisan criticism for their initial response to Morey’s tweet, when they responded by calling the post “regrettable” for the offense that it caused. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver eventually tried to tamp out the firestorm by recognizing Morey’s free speech rights. China canceled exhibition games and a number of business deals with the Rockets, and the NBA as well.
Now, with the league representatives and players back from their tumultuous trip to China, LeBron, who has never shied away from social justice issues or criticism of American leadership weighed in.
And, all of this makes us wonder.
How does LeBron know that Morey is not educated on the “situation at hand?” Or, is it more of LeBron exercising his right to free speech by expressing his opinion of Morey without knowing the depths of his study or concern of the subject matter? LeBron said that we “need to realize that there are ramifications to what we tweet, what we say, and what we do.” Does basically calling someone “uneducated” qualify?
LeBron expressed concern for the harm the tweet could have caused. He then led with “not only financially.” Hmm. Seems like “financially” was top of mind over the physical, emotional, and spiritual concerns. Words mean something we were told. The order in which you use them does as well. We also wonder how the pro Hong Kong tweet could have caused “spiritual” harm, but we digress.
And, King James wants no war of words (or sentences) with Daryl. If that is the case, why speak out on it a full 10 days afterwards? We wonder if James could have picked up his “smart” phone to call the “not smart” Daryl to discuss the matter privately and at some length versus the 45 second sound bite? In yesteryear the world’s occupants actually used to talk to one another.
And most of all we wonder. Does LeBron recognize that the “fight for freedom” that Morey was championing is the exact freedom Morey had when he tweeted and was the exact freedom that LeBron exercised when he called out Morey for doing so? Burger King, not King James, once had a tag line. “Have it your way!”
This “woke” society that we live in needs to wake up.
Comment section
Engage. Enrage. Enjoy.
Lebron has had more time than Daryl Moray to study China politics as the Rockets worked during the playoffs and Lebron didn’t.
Besides, why would Lebron side with Hong Kong residents fighting for their free speech rights when their oppressor is paying the NBA and Lebron indirectly.
nike on line two.
LeBron certainly knows that over 40 million people were murdered during the good General Mao’s policies from 1958 to 1962. Hitler didn’t make the AP top 10.
So much for the uneducated.
“But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao you ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow.” Lennon/McCartney
Multi tasking at the Chinese buffet is admirable. Lennon, McCarthy, Mao, and Hitler is quite the menu.
I think Lebron stated Morey wasn’t educated on the position he took because he came out himself. He tweeted out after the fall out he had only looked at one point of the conflict and hadn’t understood additional view points and sides. Fair for Lebron to make the connection he wasn’t fully educated.
More then anything I think Lebron was just saying the tweets timing was dangerous to those who it put in the middle of it… the players playing China.
China’s relationship with the nba is a 4 billion dollar investment, like most things the financial implications tend to carry the day and players like Lebron sell a hell of a lot of merchandise in China. Same with Harden which is why the stance they are taking should surprise no one.
Morey tweeted afterwards in an effort to 1)keep his job, and 2) to do the NBA’s bidding. Stevie Wonder can see that. It’s not the first time LeBron called people uneducated. Imagine if he was called uneducated. Firestorm.
And, yes, it was only and always about the money. Free speech is free speech. If you choose to make a 4 billion dollar investment with a communist regime you should do so with your eyes wide open.
The fact is, Lebron is ‘woke’. Therefore, when his uneducated voice speaks out, all the uneducated ears soak it up and spit it out on the November ballot. Only Shifty Schiff is more educated and ‘woke’.
You cannot call him uneducated. See below.
I think LBJ is misinformed about what financial pain is all about. China isn’t. Maybe he’s jonesing to shoot his next film at the Great Wall. As you have capably and accurately pointed out, Mark Parker is his muse. Sterling is his banker, and Jeanie Buss watches his kids.
It’s all in the family and Archie smells that bathroom flush.
I can see Edith running with the spray can to freshen the NBA house.
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