China is one of the big markets in the NBA and the Houston Rockets are the most followed franchise in the country. The blame? From Yao Ming , Shanghai-born pivot, number 1 of the 2002 draft and star, for eight seasons, of the Texas-based team, with which he played 7 times the NBA All-Star. Ming is a religion in basketball in Asia, and the Rockets have therefore been the means to that end.

For all this, for the thousands of fans in Asia, for the money they move and for the preseason games that are being played throughout its continent during these weeks, the NBA faces one of the biggest extra-sport crises of its days recent history.

And all because Daryl Morey , well-known General Manager of the franchise, published (and deleted) this weekend a tweet in which he supported the protests in Hong Kong against the current Chinese government, something that has enraged Beijing, fans of the country and that has forced the NBA to issue a statement, also criticized, apologizing to those offended . "We recognize that the point of view offered by Morey has been able to offend many of our friends and fans in China, something that is unfortunate. We have great respect for the history and culture of China and we hope that sports, and in particular the NBA, can be used to bring people together. " Morey himself also recognized that "he only issued a thought based on an interpretation of a complicated event." "I didn't want to offend any Rockets fan or my friends in China," he explained.

These apologies have been considered insufficient for the great majority of Chinese fans and politicians, who ask for Morey the same resolution as for Donald Sterling , former owner of the Clippers, suspended for life by the league and forced to sell the franchise after leaving for the light some controversial recordings in which he was heard making racist comments. And these apologies from the NBA, at the same time, have seated some American politicians , such as the Texas Senator, the Republican Ted Cruz : "As a fan of the Rockets, I have been proud that Morey has spoken of the repressive treatment of Chinese Communist Party to the Protestants of Hong Kong. " "And now, in search of money, the NBA retracts shamefully, " he added. Morey's initial tweet included an image that said " Fight for freedom. Support Hong Kong ."

The problem for the NBA , in addition to the fans, is the brands. The sports brand Li-Ning and 'Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPD Bank) have suspended their work and sponsorship of the Rockets, while the country's television has decided not to broadcast the preseason games that the team, with two superstars like James Harden and Russell Westbrook , they are going to play in China.

The criticism of the NBA's apologies is based on the awareness that it is an organization that has always supported the freedom of expression and opinions of its players on all political issues that have been current in recent years in the United States, especially police violence and the discussions of some stars with the current president, Donald Trump . In fact, during the 2014 'I Can't Breathe' campaign , numerous league stars joined her even during the warming of the matches, with T-shirts with messages of support, and the NBA did not sanction any of them . "The NBA has not had any problems with the players and technicians who criticized the United States government, and is now asking for forgiveness because one of them has criticized the Chinese government. I cannot support it, it is embarrassing, " said Democratic Congressman Tom Malinowski

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