NBA super star Lebron James has declared himself "King James," ever since entering the league. Yet on Monday night he made it apparent that he actually bows down to the Chinese Communist Party. Just when it finally looked as if the media cycle was moving past the NBA's kowtowing to China after numerous league players and coaches condemned Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey for tweeting a picture in support of Hong Kong protesters last week, Lebron decided to enter the fray by saying that Morey was selfish and uneducated for voicing his support for democracy.
"We all talk about this freedom of speech, yes, we all do have freedom of speech but at times there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you’re not thinking about others and you’re only thinking about yourself," James said on Monday night. (emphasis added)
Lakers’ LeBron James on NBA’s China controversy: “I don’t want to get into a ... feud with Daryl Morey but I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand and he spoke.” pic.twitter.com/KKrMNU0dKR
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) October 15, 2019
"I don’t want to get into a feud with Daryl Morey, but I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand and he spoke. So many people could have been harmed, not only financially, but physically, emotionally, and spiritually," he remarked. (emphasis added)
The Daily Caller's Peter Hasson pointed out that all Morey tweeted was a graphic saying, "Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong."
Reminder that this was the extent of Daryl Morey's tweet pic.twitter.com/hmSw3M1TaL
— Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) October 15, 2019
Rightfully so, folks from all across the political spectrum tore into James for his ignorant comments about China's human rights abuses.
Educate us then, @KingJames. What do you know about China that we don’t? We know about the Chinese imprisonment, torture & execution of Christians and Muslims. We know about the jailing of dissenters. We know the violent threats toward Hong Kong. What are we missing, Wise One? https://t.co/tOPdHng3xm
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) October 15, 2019
Clearly @KingJames is the one who isn’t educated on the situation at hand.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 15, 2019
It’s sad to see him join the chorus kowtowing to Communist China & putting profits over human rights for #HongKong. I was there 2 weeks ago. They’re fighting for freedom & the autonomy they were promised. https://t.co/tVI1XB7g6I
LeBron James is on China's side? https://t.co/9fOUdQqihl
— Binyamin Appelbaum (@BCAppelbaum) October 15, 2019
The @nba has updated LeBron James' team photo. https://t.co/zUh3YUJqNW pic.twitter.com/mv6bCK8LTP
— Steven Cheung (@CaliforniaPanda) October 15, 2019
.@KingJames — you’re parroting communist propaganda. China is running torture camps and you know it. #GoogleUyghurs https://t.co/BExRpi02EB
— Senator Ben Sasse (@SenSasse) October 15, 2019
When @KingJames was quoting MLK he didn't mean "everywhere" everywhere, just the places that can't impact his net worth. #ScrewTheNBA #Hypocrite pic.twitter.com/x42AvHwrVe
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) October 15, 2019
But Lebron decided to double down on Twitter, saying that it has been a tough week for him and his fellow millionaire athletes. For him, he says Morey's tweet was just poor timing. By poor timing, he means that supporting oppressed Hong Kongers got in the way of earning more money.
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.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
My team and this league just went through a difficult week. 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.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
Well, it looks Lebron needs to listen to his own advice and educate himself on China. Guy shared the following video for "King James" to understand how his communist pals subjugate helpless individuals in China.
Please watch this, then make sure LeBron & friends see it — especially since they’re lecturing others about getting educated: https://t.co/cKTtU73zQT
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) October 15, 2019