“Donald Trump did something crazy as hell today”

If he were to do that, he’d better make damn sure that he has a new job lined up, since he’d lose his current one pretty much instantly.

This. It’s telling that the usually oh-so socially aware player-base has been this quiet.

In an extremely strong field of sheer insane statements; his comment about the Kurds is most vicious, awful thing he’s ever said. I can’t even begin to explain how ashamed I am right now.

We’re actually looking at Vietnam right now as an alternative.

I agree, I think the NBA is hoping that this is just China flexing its muscles for now and this is jsut a warning. Though an even better resolution for the NBA would be Morey taking the fall for this himself and walk away from his job. That way, everyone comes out of this with clean hands (not really but, you know).

Stockholm Syndrome.

Yes, it’s EXACTLY like that, apart from the fact that’s it’s not.

You’re putting the players in the wrong column here. I get that the usually rationale is ‘owners-bad / players-good’ but in this particular case it’s telling that, outside of Harden’s apology, not a single NBA player has commented on the issue so far. Given that a significant amount of their paychecks comes from Chines…

No, it’s impossible. You either agree that Morey can say whatever he wants without the threat of losing his job due to political pressure, or you don’t.

Same here. I have a Chinese colleague over at our facility for a few months as part of an exchange program. Rockets fan, college educated. Doesn’t like the prospect of not seeing NBA games any longer. When asked about the Hong Kong crisis yesterday, he literally said “I support my government” . I mentioned I’m…

Note that the NBA didn’t react initially, but once China started making threats they really couldn’t ignore it any longer. This story was already blowing up before the NBA gave any official response.

The fact that you think there would be public opposition by the Chinese people against their government over this is either the funniest or saddest thing I’ve heard in a while.

I work for a company with close ties to Chinese production. We deal with a lot of big OEMs in the Western world, who without exception at some point have asked us to drop China from the supply chain because a litany of reasons, both political and environmental. They want to ‘change the world, be better’ etc. They hate…

White owners like Joseph Tsai?

Because they understand how China works, unfortunately. They take even the smallest level of criticism extremely personal.

Not part of the problem, we ARE the problem. If we want to counteract it, we should stop buying products made in China and be willing to pay a premium for alternatives. If not, we’re all hypocrites.

The NBA doesn’t have a position of strength. They need China more than it needs them. It’s that simple. NBA basketball is immensely popular in China, but if the government pulls the plug, that’s it. If you’re under the impression that there will be a massive revolt if the NBA is shutdown in the mainland, you’re…

I want cheap stuff.

You’re forgetting that the NBA unquestionably has a significant $ amount budgeted coming from the Chinese market. This isn’t like other international trade relations, China has the ability to reduce that number to zero overnight, meaning big trouble for the NBA and Silver, particularly. The NBA probably just figures…