After Backlash, LeBron James Says His Criticism of NBA Exec's Pro-Hong Kong Tweet Wasn't About 'the Substance'

On Monday, LeBron James spoke publicly for the first time about an NBA executive who tweeted in support of Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters and caused a spike in tensions between China and the NBA, saying that Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey “wasn’t educated on the situation.”

But after an intense social media backlash, James said his comments were misunderstood and that he was “not discussing the substance” of Morey’s tweet.

On Oct. 4, Morey tweeted in support of the Hong Kong protests. In retaliation, the Chinese government canceled or postponed several NBA preseason events in China. The situation got worse after the NBA offered differing statements, tepidly defending Morey in English, and profusely apologizing in Chinese. Soon after, a bipartisan congressional group that included New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz harshly criticized the league in a statement, saying in part that it is “outrageous that the NBA has caved to Chinese government demands for contrition.”

During an interview Monday after a preseason game, James said about the matter: “I don’t want to get into a feud with Daryl Morey, but I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand.”

Also Read: NBA, Politicians Weigh in as Fallout From Rockets GM's Hong Kong Tweet Grows

“Many people could have been harmed not only financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually,” James continued. “So just be careful what we tweet and say and we do, even though, yes, we do have freedom of speech, but there can be a lot of negative that comes with that, too.”

Within an hour of the comments going public, James issued a clarification that he wasn’t taking a position on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters, only on his belief that Morey didn’t have “consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet.”

“Let me clear up the confusion. I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet. I’m not discussing the substance. Others can talk about that,” James tweeted Monday night.

“My team and this league just went through a difficult week,” James continued. “I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it.”

Also Read: 'South Park' Declares 'F-- the Chinese Government' in Latest Episode

James’ comments were widely derided by fans and commentators, and his clarification didn’t quell the criticism. Some critics accused him of “licking the boot,” while others contrasted his comments with previous public statements on a range of hot-button political issues.

NBA player Enes Kanter also appeared to obliquely respond to James’ comments in several tweets Monday night. Kanter, who is Turkish, concluded with a description of personal difficulties he’s experienced since becoming a public critic of Turkey’s authoritarian president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Wow dude! 🤦🏻‍♂️

— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) October 15, 2019

SMH

— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) October 15, 2019

🤢

— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) October 15, 2019

-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 Indonesia

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) October 15, 2019

See other reactions below:

https://twitter.com/mikecampos2005/status/1183947925807882241

LeBron focusing on the real victim here: The NBA https://t.co/PRlgdCxJkf

— Josh Barro (@jbarro) October 15, 2019

Thank you for speaking out on behalf of all the oppressed millionaires who were slightly inconvenienced by those selfish jerks demonstrating for their basic human freedoms.

— Guy Endore-Kaiser (@GuyEndoreKaiser) October 15, 2019

https://twitter.com/SopanDeb/status/1183922489430282246

I'd love for LeBron to explain what he means by Morey was misinformed. He simply stated his support for Hong Kong protests. What's misinformed about making a simple statement of public support?

— Joseph Misulonas (@jmisulonas) October 15, 2019

Representatives for James didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from TheWrap.

2018 NBA All-Star: Chadwick Boseman, Shaq Party in LA for Basketball's Biggest Weekend (Photos)

NBA All-Star weekend is always a splashy affair but when it's located in Los Angeles, it attracts a slew of entertainment and sports A-listers who didn't have to travel far to party with pro basketball's finest. Click through for the scoop on this year's hottest parties and coolest appearances (photos are in chronological order).
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The biggest man in basketball (in every way), Shaquille O'Neal proved he is the real king of the NBA when he took to the throne at the American Express Experience on Thursday.
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AMEX's intimate pop-up just outside of L.A. Live offered guests a multi-sensory journey of basketball through interactive rooms and instillations such as the Lakers Vault, a room of 18 handmade Chandelier Hoops and a walkway of Exploded Floorboards.
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The LED-lighted Neon Backboards created a surreal -- and very cool -- look at a pro basketball court ahead of Sunday's All-Star Game.
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The AMEX Experience delivered up twice as much of Maria Menonous as the SiriusXM host and "AMEX Ambassador" made fun Insta stories from the interactive displays.
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All-Star weekend isn't all about parties. The NBA also took advantage of having its most influential players in one place to give back to the community by having Kyrie Irving, Draymond Green and Swin Cash visit kids and their families at Children's Hospital L.A.
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What's better than having Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving read you "Star Wars" stories? Nothing.
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Veteran hop-hop genius DJ Whoo Kid (doing his signature salutes) took over the decks at the Let It Fly party Thursday night, as he spun in the middle of a pumping VIP room surrounded by towering NBA stars.
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The man of the night, Andre Drummond, hung out with Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell at the “Let It Fly” event to raise money and awareness for the Precious Dreams Foundation on Thursday night, which was co-hosted by Johnny Stephene (a.k.a. Dribble2Much).
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Former L.A. Laker Carlos Boozer caught up with another ex-NBA player and undisputedly the best-dressed person at the Let It Fly party -- thanks to his pink satin jacket -- Jack McClinton.
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Who wouldn't want to sleep with -- we mean ON -- Steph Curry? Let It Fly party sponsors Active Dreamers make that dream come true with their line of bedding featuring top NBA stars. Before you call bias, they had a LeBron James bed at the party too!
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"Property Brothers" siblings Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott hammed it up for the cameras at the Celebrity Game Friday. While Jonathan wasn't playing this year, Drew made up for it by scoring a spot on the winning Clippers team under Katie Nolan.
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ESPN's Jemele Hill kicked off All-Star week in Hollywood on Thursday night at the "UNINTERRUPTED" party at Avenue Los Angeles, which was presented by Remy Martin.
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Former Clippers player Baron Davis hosted a trifecta of events All-Star weekend at the London Hotel in West Hollywood. His BIG Summit on Saturday afternoon featured a panel made up of Ice Cube, Chris Paul and David Robinson and co-founder/president of Lyft, John Zimmer. The power group discussed ideas on how to create real business and social impact, collaborations and opportunities that live at the intersection of sports, media, technology and culture, disrupting industries and enriching the communities.
Baron Davis Enterprises
Jamie Foxx had to man up at Jack Daniels' "Blame it on the Game" party as he did shots with Guy Fieri. The Oscar winner also got to shoot hoops as he hosted the whiskey-fueled VIP bash on All-Star Saturday.
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The theme of giving back continued when Kendrick Lamar performed Friday night for the NBA on TNT American Express Road Show stage at L.A. LIVE’s Microsoft Square. The gig was exclusively for AMEX Card Members, and ticket proceeds will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles.
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Lamar put on quite the show, singing his hits including "Humble," "Swimming Pools," "Love," "M.A.A.D. City" and "Money Trees." Easy to spot in the crowd in the VIP section was TNT analyst "Sir Charles" Barkley -- who was an NBA All-Star a whopping 11 times during his career.
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While "Black Panther" was blowing up the box office this weekend, Chadwick Boseman was blowing up the NBA party scene. Marvel's latest breakout star actor was the man everyone wanted to see at GQ's effortlessly-stylish party at the NoMad Hotel in downtown L.A.
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Before she took to the stage to perform, rapper and singer Cardi B looked slick in black leather at the GQ party.
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Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love was dressed fit for a cover of GQ, not just the party, as he arrived with model Kate Bock.
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It was a beer lovers paradise on Saturday night at Budweiser LIVE as T-Pain took to the stage at the City Market Social House. The cool warehouse vibe was enhanced by a basketball arcade and endless Bud on tap. Levi’s also offered denim trucker jackets and tees that were customized onsite with screen printings, patches and pins.
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Kanye West blew up the internet on Saturday night by gatecrashing Kid Cudi's show at the adidas party during NBA All-Star weekend. The pair then joined forces to perform their Life of Pablo single “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1.”
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On the eve of the All-Star game, LeBron took a break from the serious stuff to kick back with Odell Beckham Jr. at the Beats party at the Dream hotel in Hollywood on Saturday night.
Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Remy Martin
The Kardashians have had a variety of NBA connections over the years, and Kourtney was on hand All-Star Saturday to pose at the MVP Weekend Experience at Liv. The star-filled bash was LIV hosted by French Montana and presented by Remy Martin.Getty Images for Rémy Martin // Johnny Nunez
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Tristan Thompson and Khloe Kardashian proved "The Game Is Everything" by attending a VIP dinner at Beauty and Essex Saturday night. Other famous diners included LeBron James, Jessie Williams and Kevin Hart, no doubt enjoying cocktails from Rémy Martin and a tasting of their LOUIS XIII.
Getty Images for Rémy Martin // Jerritt Clark

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The ”Black Panther“ star was a hit at the GQ party, as sports and Hollywood collide before LeBron and Steph take to the court

NBA All-Star weekend is always a splashy affair but when it's located in Los Angeles, it attracts a slew of entertainment and sports A-listers who didn't have to travel far to party with pro basketball's finest. Click through for the scoop on this year's hottest parties and coolest appearances (photos are in chronological order).

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2018 NBA All-Star: Chadwick Boseman, Shaq Party in LA for Basketball's Biggest Weekend (Photos)

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