NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal on Tuesday defended Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey for posting a tweet in support of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong that kicked off an ongoing dispute between with league and its business partners in China.
The NBA’s business interests in China have been at a standstill since Morey’s Oct. 6 tweet generated backlash from Chinese fans and government officials.
Speaking on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” on opening night of the 2019-20 season, O’Neal said Morey was right to call attention to the Hong Kong protests.
We’re allowed to say what we want to say and we’re allowed to speak up about injustices, and that’s just how it goes.
Morey has not made any public comment on the situation since he attempted to clarify his views in a series of tweets earlier this month.
Especially with social media, we can say whatever we want to say, when we want to say it,” O’Neal said.
When TNT returned to its set for halftime coverage, a Hong Kong flag was on prominent display in the crowd. »