Former Rocket Dwight Howard avoids questions on Morey, China

Lakers star LeBron James criticized Rockets GM Daryl Morey over his Hong Kong tweet, but teammate Dwight Howard isn’t getting involved.

Back in October, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was critical of Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey over his controversial tweet in support of a Hong Kong protest movement against China.

Specifically, when asked whether Morey should have been reprimanded, James said he felt Morey “wasn’t educated on the situation at hand.”

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With the Lakers playing the Rockets on Saturday night for the first time since those comments, it’s natural for that storyline to be revisited. One player with a unique perspective is eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard, who has experience on both sides of the rivalry.

Though the big man is now teammates with James in Los Angeles, he remains arguably the biggest free-agent signing of Morey’s NBA career after his move to Houston in July 2013. Howard’s three years with the Rockets also gave him a pathway to endorsement deals in China.

But when asked about the subject several times at Friday’s practice, Howard showed no interest in addressing it.

That has nothing to do with me or the Lakers. I’m staying away from that. … I’m not Daryl.

When asked if he was personally experiencing any fallout from that, in terms of his business dealings, the 34-year-old replied:

No. I’m going to stay away from China questions and focus on Houston. No offense.

Howard also declined to address the matter of Houston’s potentially weakened relationship as a franchise with China.

My focus is on the Los Angeles Lakers, and what we’re trying to accomplish this year. I understand that it’s a big political issue, and it also involves a lot of players in the league and on our team, but I can’t focus on that and don’t have enough information to give you a well-educated answer on the situation.

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James was not made available to the media at Friday’s practice in Los Angeles, so he did not face the same questions.

Over three seasons in Houston from 2013 until 2016, Howard averaged 16.0 points (60.1% FG) and 11.7 rebounds in 32.2 minutes per game.

As a reserve with the Lakers in the 2019-20 season, Howard is averaging 7.7 points (72.3% FG) and 7.5 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game.

James, Howard, and the rest of the West-leading Lakers (33-8) will tip off their game in Houston against the Rockets (26-14) at 7:30 p.m. Central time on Saturday night. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC.

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