Which is probably the smart thing for Yao to do. If Yao makes a statement without denouncing the HK protectors, he'll anger the Chinese government. But if Yao denounces the protesters then there well be people here disappointed in him. No win situation for him.
The Rockets are a bunch of morons if they thought Yao would do anything but act infuriated, whether he is or not. Every single thing he does is monitored, any kind of compassion would be a risk to his life. Not in a phonecall, video call or a meeting would he express an ounce of compassion, no matter what he thought. Try to understand that. Even if he found a way to communicate a tiny bit of sympathy for the Rockets, he is smart enough to tell them to tell everyone Yao was furious and nothing else. I feel like you guys really don't understand this stuff.
I agree with Yao. Morey and Silver are full of it. I'm glad they at least let the players speak against police brutality.
I didn't mean Yao's opinion on this topic; I meant the devout allegiance to China he's shown all his life. That could very well represent his actual feelings. We'd like to think he now sees the problems with the Chinese government after spending so much time elsewhere in the last 17 years, but for all we know, he doesn't see it that way.
I can’t speak for Yao, but this is what I’m assuming he’s hot about: 1. As a basketball ambassador, he always looked at basketball as a non-political entity and all of a sudden this has blown up. 2. DM has now basically forced him into a no-win situation, because whatever he does is going to anger somebody and that’s hella inconvenient. 3. He doesn’t have a problem with free speech, but wishes DM didn’t post that. Not only the bureau, but also investors are likely blowing up his phone asking wtf is up. His own opinion on HK is irrelevant and can be known only by him and his fam. Again, I don’t know Yao well at all so I’m probably off-base on much of this. I’ve met him before, and I know people that know him better so this is just some elaborate fan-fiction, albeit with a tiny bit of education. (Much like “insiders” at ESPN, I’m guessing) EDIT: And anyway, Yao's always been extremely hot
Best outcome for Morey is winning that championship but even then, he will be known as the guy who tweeted a lot.
Seriously doubt the Rockets management thought he'd anyhow back them on this, they know what an echo chamber China is (except for Morey when he tweeted).
A championship isnt going to solve any problems. The players are going to be pissed when their signature shoe deals are cut in half. Why do you think harden stepped in? The goodness of his heart?lmao.