Houston ruler behind China crisis resigns

A protest in Hong Kong on October 15, 2019. -

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, who was behind a diplomatic incident between the NBA and China last year for supporting anti-Beijing protesters in Hong Kong, resigned Thursday.

“After (…) reflecting on my amazing 14 years with the Houston Rockets and chatting with my family and close friends, I decided to step away from the Rockets as of November 1,” he said in a statement.

ESPN television and the local daily

announced the departure of this figure from the Texas franchise, in charge of the Rockets' basketball operations since the 2007-2008 season.

His last season in this post began with a controversy.

In October 2019, he supported pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong, an autonomous territory in southern China, on Twitter, who were protesting against the local executive and central authorities.

Losses for the NBA estimated at $ 400 million

This tweet had prompted Beijing to suspend any partnership with the North American Basketball League (NBA).

Chinese television CCTV had ceased broadcasting the matches for more than a year, until Game 5 of the finals played last Friday.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta had both backed Daryl Morey despite China's calls for his dismissal and the NBA's financial losses following the case, estimated at 400. million dollars (340 million euros).

pic.twitter.com/la9U0NzaJG

- Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 16, 2020

In a brief reaction, Chinese public television CCTV hinted on Friday that the Texas leader had been pushed out.

"We learned of the resignation of Daryl Morey and have no comment to make about it," said a spokesperson for the channel in a statement.

"However, we want to remind here that any word or act seeking to hurt the feelings of the Chinese has a price," he said, before wishing Morey "good luck".

He will remain an advisor

Named executive of the year in 2018, Daryl Morey began discussing a departure with Tilman Fertitta following the elimination of the Rockets in the conference semi-finals against future champions, the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Houston Rockets, who have in their ranks two former best players of the season (MVP), James Harden and Russell Westbrook, remain on eight appearances in a row in the playoffs, the longest current series in the NBA.

The manager, who signed a five-year contract extension in March 2019, will remain adviser to the franchise until she has found a new coach, since the contract of Mike d'Antoni, who arrived on the bench of Houston in 2016, was not renewed after the 2019/2020 season.

Rafael Stone, executive vice president of basketball operations for the franchise, will replace Daryl Morey, ESPN and the

assure

.

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