James Harden, pictured left with Russell Westbrook, personally apologized to China after the Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted that he supports democracy – not communism.
Morey sparked controversy by saying he supported Hong Kong in a since-deleted tweet that has resulted in the team losing sponsorships and TV deals, according to Yahoo News.
Morey’s tweet, “Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong”, was in support of the semi-autonomous country that is the scene of protests and widespread civil unrest.
James Harden, one of the NBA’s biggest superstars, apologized to China on Monday.
The Rockets are currently in Tokyo, Japan for 2 preseason games against the NBA’s defending champions Toronto Raptors.
Harden, with teammate Westbrook by his side, spoke to the Japanese press on Monday:
“We apologize. You know, we love China. We love playing there. For both of us individually, we go there once or twice a year. They show us the most important love,” Harden said.
“We appreciate them as a fan base. We love everything there about them, and we appreciate the support that they give us individually and as [an] organization. We love you.”
Some NBA fans supported Harden and the Rockets, but others were furious at the superstar’s apparent anti-democracy stance.
