Tag: Hong Kong

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is known for speaking out on political topics. But he was uncharacteristically quiet when in October 2019 when asked about the international controversy involving the NBA and China, which began when Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey tweeted an image in support of a Hong Kong protest movement.

“I don’t,” Kerr said in October, when asked if he had an opinion regarding the controversy. “It’s a really bizarre international story, and a lot of us don’t know what to make of it. So it’s something I’m reading about just like everybody is, but I’m not going to comment further than that.”

“What I’ve found is that it’s easy to speak on issues that I’m passionate about and that I feel like I’m well-versed on, and I’ve found that it makes the most sense to stick to topics that fall in that category. So I try to keep my comments to those things. … It’s more I’m just trying to learn.”

Kerr’s commentary was in sharp contrast to that of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who quickly defended Morey’s right to freedom of expression and declared — in response to China’s request that Morey be fired — that he would not be disciplined for his opinion.

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Nine months later, Kerr tells The Washington Post‘s Candace Buckner that he regretted those comments almost immediately.

“Remember the whole China incident? I handled it really poorly,” Kerr said. “I was, frankly, sort of tongue tied.” He continued:

I’m sitting there trying to figure out what I’m supposed to say to make sure I don’t put the league in jeopardy, but also try to find the right balance. And I realize it was probably the one time over the years when I haven’t just spoken from my heart, and I sort of got caught in this political hail storm. … That’s the one episode where I walked away shaking my head, saying ‘What the hell was that?’

With the NBA addressing severed ties w/ a Chinese bkb camp, I wanted to share this from Steve Kerr

I’m working on a piece abt coaches & their role in speaking up & Kerr, usually outspoken, admitted he didn’t like his comments re: China last yr

I think this is honest reflection pic.twitter.com/6sPNVWWnVt

— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) July 24, 2020

Buckner followed up by asking the outspoken Golden State coach what he would do differently, if he had a do-over. Kerr responded:

I would, first of all, back up Daryl. I would just say Daryl has a right, as an American, to free speech. He can say anything he wants, and we should support him in that, and that’s the main message. And then if you want to get into the depths of a really complex issue, then you can have a conversation.

Though fallout from the incident has cost the NBA hundreds of millions of dollars, Silver said in late June that he felt the league’s relationship with China “has improved” since the controversy in late 2019. In time, the league hopes that some of those lost revenue streams can be recouped.

“They have a different view how things have been done, how things should be done,” said Silver, noting that the NBA has had dialogue with its business partners there, and in some cases, with government officials. “Hopefully, we can find mutual respect for each other.”

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Adam Silver on the NBA's relationship with China – says he feels it has improved. "…they have a different view how things have been done, how things should be done. And hopefully, we can find mutual respect for each other." pic.twitter.com/Dc9RFaboqN

— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) June 30, 2020