TheIronSheik Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 You have figured out a way to unite this country: By having everyone agree that you've taken an idiotic stance. When was the last time that Warren, Julian Castro, Ted Cruz, South Park, Bob Ley, Clay Travis, Keith Olberman and a slew of others all agreed so passionately about a topic? I mean, usually you could find at least two people to disagree with you if you said "Water is wet." Oh my God, what a PR nightmare for the NBA. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Lambskin Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 What’s this now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIronSheik Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 Just now, Dan Lambskin said: What’s this now? With the Rockets owner saying he stands with Hong Kong and that he supports democracy. To which the NBA scolded him, made him issue an apology, then sent out a letter to China apologizing for being political. Because they said the NBA is not in the business of being political. Seriously. They said that. Oh, man. And as funny of a line as that is, they didn't actually mean for it to be humorous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvanKaramazov Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 I haven't watched an NBA game since I was in college, but I might start watching so that I can boycott the league over this. 5 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Lambskin Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 3 minutes ago, TheIronSheik said: With the Rockets owner saying he stands with Hong Kong and that he supports democracy. To which the NBA scolded him, made him issue an apology, then sent out a letter to China apologizing for being political. Because they said the NBA is not in the business of being political. Seriously. They said that. Oh, man. And as funny of a line as that is, they didn't actually mean for it to be humorous. Meh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvanKaramazov Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 I mean, sure, China murders political dissidents and sells their organs, but who among us can really say what's right and what's wrong in this topsy-turvy world? 6 2 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIronSheik Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 2 minutes ago, IvanKaramazov said: I mean, sure, China murders political dissidents and sells their organs, but who among us can really say what's right and what's wrong in this topsy-turvy world? Agreed. Let's not rush to judge. Plus, is there any proof that democracy is better than a communist dictatorship? I mean, I feel like we're dealing with such small sample sizes, it's too early to say if one is better than the other for the citizens of that country. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewlyRetired Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 15 minutes ago, TheIronSheik said: With the Rockets owner saying he stands with Hong Kong and that he supports democracy. To which the NBA scolded him, made him issue an apology, then sent out a letter to China apologizing for being political. Because they said the NBA is not in the business of being political. Seriously. They said that. Oh, man. And as funny of a line as that is, they didn't actually mean for it to be humorous. I think it was the Rockets GM, not owner. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIronSheik Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 6 minutes ago, NewlyRetired said: I think it was the Rockets GM, not owner. Yes. That is correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIronSheik Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 12 minutes ago, Walking Boot said: Didn't the NBA move the All Star game over a bill about who can use what bathroom? But you can't mention that it would be nice to stop murdering innocent people. Yes. But bathrooms are important. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chemical X Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Follow the money...... 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comfortably numb Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 22 minutes ago, Walking Boot said: Didn't the NBA move the All Star game over a bill about who can use what bathroom? But you can't mention that it would be nice to stop murdering innocent people. Life lesson #575 Pick and choose your battles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobird Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 As weak as the NBA response has been, it's nothing compared to Blizzard Entertainment's recent actions. An esports competitor spoke out against China during a recent competition and was removed from the competition and suspended for a year. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIronSheik Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 I thought it was funny that it took like 24 to 48 hours for any public person come out and denounce what the NBA did. It was almost like they were all thinking, "Wait. Is this a red thing or a blue thing?" And when you saw people like Ted Cruz and Elizabeth Warren agreeing with each other, it really threw people off. Like, "Well, I never agree with that person, but I always agree with that person. How do I handle this?" I hope more stuff like this happens so people can realize we don't always have to think the other side is evil. 3 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellToupee Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 2 hours ago, Chemical X said: Follow the money...... Vsin 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jb1020 Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 4 hours ago, NewlyRetired said: I think it was the Rockets GM, not owner. Can't say "owner" in the NBA anymore. #getwoke 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bull Dozier Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 30 minutes ago, jb1020 said: Can't say "owner" in the NBA anymore. #getwoke What they didn't tell us was it is because they are reserving the term "owner" for China. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Encumbrance Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 "My," she sighed, "What big eyes you have!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NutterButter Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 7 hours ago, TheIronSheik said: With the Rockets owner saying he stands with Hong Kong and that he supports democracy. To which the NBA scolded him, made him issue an apology, then sent out a letter to China apologizing for being political. Because they said the NBA is not in the business of being political. Seriously. They said that. Oh, man. And as funny of a line as that is, they didn't actually mean for it to be humorous. I thought it was the GM that made the original tweet, that it was the Rockets owner that made him apologize and that Adam Silver representing the NBA said that the GM was free to express his opinion? But close. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galileo Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 I saw some sort of headline associated with this story last night on TV that started "China upset about..." And I remember thinking...really? All of China? Over a billion people are upset about it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NutterButter Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 7 minutes ago, Galileo said: I saw some sort of headline associated with this story last night on TV that started "China upset about..." And I remember thinking...really? All of China? Over a billion people are upset about it? The one's that weren't upset have since been executed 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Lange as your Bartender Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 7 hours ago, zoobird said: As weak as the NBA response has been, it's nothing compared to Blizzard Entertainment's recent actions. An esports competitor spoke out against China during a recent competition and was removed from the competition and suspended for a year. And they kept his prize money after he already won the competition he was interviewed at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Lange as your Bartender Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 2 hours ago, Galileo said: I saw some sort of headline associated with this story last night on TV that started "China upset about..." And I remember thinking...really? All of China? Over a billion people are upset about it? Got to keep those social credit scores high Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranethe Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 I read that a gamer made a live statement in support of protesters in Hong Kong and got banned for a year by Blizzard and stripped of money he won in a gaming tournament. I guess he was from Hong Kong, had just won a “Hearthstone” tournament and 10000 in winnings. Got banned and won’t receive the money he won. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockaction Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Hanging your PR hopes on incrementalist freedom grants from oppressive regimes can often backfire like this. NBA was dancing for the devil for a long time upon this theory, and is now getting a bit roasted. Not everything is cut-and-dried, nor is this, but there's really no easy explanation or way to go about this with all the political, social, and monetary capital involved in the NBA/China arrangement, of which I admittedly know not enough to comment about, but know that a tenuous international basketball relationship does indeed exist between a corporate entity in the States and China. And it's a large corporate entity. Which brings up questions about globalism, corporatism, and where the left and right populists have met over the past two decades in declaring the corporations bankrupt, corrupt, collusive, etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroveDiesel Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 10 hours ago, IvanKaramazov said: I mean, sure, China murders political dissidents and sells their organs, but who among us can really say what's right and what's wrong in this topsy-turvy world? Not just political dissidents, minorities they don’t like, people practicing religions they don’t like, etc. The fun part is that they’ve basically dispensed with the murdering them first part. Instead, when someone needs an organ, they just grab someone from the gulag, drag them into a surgical suite, and just start cutting them open and removing their organs. The person dies of course, suffering greatly. But hey, someone with a great social score just scored themselves a new kidney! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvanKaramazov Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 19 minutes ago, GroveDiesel said: Not just political dissidents, minorities they don’t like, people practicing religions they don’t like, etc. The fun part is that they’ve basically dispensed with the murdering them first part. Instead, when someone needs an organ, they just grab someone from the gulag, drag them into a surgical suite, and just start cutting them open and removing their organs. The person dies of course, suffering greatly. But hey, someone with a great social score just scored themselves a new kidney! See, when you put it that way, it's win-win. The NBA gets some positive publicity, and some rich dude gets a liver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvdesigns2002 Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 I don't want to be "hot take Jones" here--but I feel like Morey and the NBA are to blame here. While I agree with Morey's original statement about Hong Kong--I just don't understand how a guy that has made a living touting himself as an analytics guru could not foresee that putting that tweet out there could possibly have some negative ramifications and ruffle some feathers. I firmly believe that actions speak louder than words and his tweet was nothing more than empty symbolism. The fact that he basically retracted it so quickly kind of exposed him as being a faux activist---the minute it could have effected his employment or wallet--he backed down super quick. The NBA's original reaction to the tweet was just as reprehensible. It just goes to show how quick people are willing to abandon their morals and moral standing when it could possibly effect their economics. It's not a good look for China, Morey, the Rockets, and the NBA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EYLive Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 https://southpark.cc.com/full-episodes/s23e02-band-in-china #isthisallowed? [/noban] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug B Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 11 hours ago, Chemical X said: Follow the money...... I was kind of wondering ... :deepbreath: Can the NBA not just kick China to the curb over this? Tear that check in half and walk away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insein Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 9 hours ago, TheIronSheik said: I thought it was funny that it took like 24 to 48 hours for any public person come out and denounce what the NBA did. It was almost like they were all thinking, "Wait. Is this a red thing or a blue thing?" And when you saw people like Ted Cruz and Elizabeth Warren agreeing with each other, it really threw people off. Like, "Well, I never agree with that person, but I always agree with that person. How do I handle this?" I hope more stuff like this happens so people can realize we don't always have to think the other side is evil. It's so true. People were so flustered about which auto response they should have. Blindly follow their guy or auto hate the other guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyboy Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 This is a country that banned Winnie the Pooh because of a resemblance to Xi. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/blogs-china-blog-40627855 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Summer Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 This is all just a clever negotiating tactic to bring China to the table to get a more favorable TV deal. The Chinese have been taking advantage of the NBA for years, and Adam Silver has finally stood up to them, unlike that failure David Stern. Look for Silver to announce the new deal in about two weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christo Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 7 hours ago, Galileo said: I saw some sort of headline associated with this story last night on TV that started "China upset about..." And I remember thinking...really? All of China? Over a billion people are upset about it? They like basketball. And they like oppression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christo Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 1 hour ago, Doug B said: I was kind of wondering ... :deepbreath: Can the NBA not just kick China to the curb over this? Tear that check in half and walk away? They could. But it would be hella painful. I saw somewhere that the TV contract alone was worth almost $1.5 Billion/yr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Encyclopedia Brown Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 The Athletic (which I subscribe to) deleted and then disabled all comments on an article on this issue. I can't recall them doing this for any other article. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroveDiesel Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 7 hours ago, Doug B said: I was kind of wondering ... :deepbreath: Can the NBA not just kick China to the curb over this? Tear that check in half and walk away? They certainly could, but it would likely cost them a lot of money. I’ve read some sentiments of people thinking that the NBA has leverage because the Chinese people realize that the NBA product is by far the best basketball product in the world and that the people would be really angry if they no longer had access to NBA games anymore. But that ignores the reality of life in China. It doesn’t really matter what the people of China want anyway because the government controls their entire lives. And that government has shown that they are willing to spite their own people and even hurt themselves financially in the short term in order to exert long term control. Furthermore, there is a very strong patriotism/nationalism in China and people are very likely to simply go along with their government and reject the NBA as being evil and enemies of their country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaxBill Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Best part is the way ESPN kisses up to the NBA, there's nary a word about this on Golic and Wingo. But they'll give you the WNBA finals score though. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaxBill Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 @ewong: This is next level: A “news director” at ESPN forbids staffers there to discuss any politics related to the NBA / China / Hong Kong controversy — which is about China trying to force NBA executives to self-censor to keep access to China market. https://deadspin.com/internal-memo-espn-forbids-discussion-of-chinese-polit-1838881032 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvanKaramazov Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 20 minutes ago, JaxBill said: @ewong: This is next level: A “news director” at ESPN forbids staffers there to discuss any politics related to the NBA / China / Hong Kong controversy — which is about China trying to force NBA executives to self-censor to keep access to China market. https://deadspin.com/internal-memo-espn-forbids-discussion-of-chinese-polit-1838881032 But they'll still keep us up to date on Colin Kaepernick, right? 5 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockaction Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 10 minutes ago, IvanKaramazov said: But they'll still keep us up to date on Colin Kaepernick, right? Rite side of justice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIronSheik Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 9 hours ago, Joe Summer said: This is all just a clever negotiating tactic to bring China to the table to get a more favorable TV deal. The Chinese have been taking advantage of the NBA for years, and Adam Silver has finally stood up to them, unlike that failure David Stern. Look for Silver to announce the new deal in about two weeks. Clever tactic? By apologizing and not saying anything? By bending over and taking it with a smile? This reminds me of when people were claiming how smart AB was when he got kicked off the Raiders. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIronSheik Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 It's funny that no public figure (not associated with Disney or the NBA) has come out on the side of the NBA and the players and coaches. The only people I've seen defend them are random internet folks. I mean, this might be the most agreed upon thing in America since... well, ever. Democracy is good - 98% approval rating. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E Street Brat Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 What happened in Philly last night? Pro Hong Kong protesters kicked out or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Dufresne Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 @IvanKaramazov is slam dunking this thread. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvdesigns2002 Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Was just watching CNBC--and I'm not sure if this was mentioned earlier in the thread--but apparently the Chinese market currently represents 10% of the NBA's revenue. Over the past few years--the growth of the NBA has predominately come from the Chinese market. They mentioned some stat that there are more NBA fans in China then there are people in the United States. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIronSheik Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 1 minute ago, jvdesigns2002 said: Was just watching CNBC--and I'm not sure if this was mentioned earlier in the thread--but apparently the Chinese market currently represents 10% of the NBA's revenue. Over the past few years--the growth of the NBA has predominately come from the Chinese market. They mentioned some stat that there are more NBA fans in China then there are people in the United States. I'm surprised it's only 10%. But it's probably also correct to say that the China revenue is rising while the US revenue is dropping. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvdesigns2002 Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 (edited) 13 minutes ago, TheIronSheik said: I'm surprised it's only 10%. But it's probably also correct to say that the China revenue is rising while the US revenue is dropping. Oh for sure--and I think this is why the NBA is in a panic over this. Effectively--their only real chance of growth or sustaining growth is to spread the popularity of their product into international markets. There is no international market greater than China. If this was any other country except for China--I think the NBA would easily just take the path of morality and just abandon that market and say "this is the right thing to do and there are plenty of bigger fish in the sea". The only reason they are confused on what to do and what to say is because Morey effectively offended the biggest fish out there. Edited October 9, 2019 by jvdesigns2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Dufresne Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 For some reason this reminds me of a scene from The Holy Grail... NBA: Well, this is the main hall. We're going to have all this knocked through and made into one big, uh, living room. GUEST: There he is! NBA: Oh, bloody hell. [exciting music] CHINA: Ha ha ha! Hey! Ha ha! NBA: Hold it! Stop it! Hold it! Hold it! Hold it! Hold it! Hold it! Please! CHINA: Sorry. Sorry. You see what I mean? I just get carried away. I'm really most awfully sorry. Sorry! Sorry, everyone. GUEST #1: He's killed the best man! GUESTS: [yelling] NBA: Hold it! Hold it! Please! Hold it! This is Sir China from the Court of Communism, a very brave and influential knight, and my special guest here today. CHINA: Hello. GUEST: He killed my auntie! GUESTS: [yelling] NBA: Please! Please! This is supposed to be a happy occasion! Let's not bicker and argue about who killed who. We are here today to witness the union of two young people in the joyful bond of the holy wedlock. Unfortunately, one of them, my son Houston, has just fallen to his death. GUESTS: Oh! Oh, no! NBA: But I don't want to think I've lost a son, so much as... gained a daughter! 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da Guru Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, jvdesigns2002 said: Oh for sure--and I think this is why the NBA is in a panic over this. Effectively--their only real chance of growth or sustaining growth is to spread the popularity of their product into international markets. There is no international market greater than China. If this was any other country except for China--I think the NBA would easily just take the path of morality and just abandon that market and say "this is the right thing to do and there are plenty of bigger fish in the sea". The only reason they are confused on what to do and what to say is because Morey effectively offended the biggest fish out there. This proves the NBA is not the "socially aware", not the "woke, league they proclaim to be. NBA coaches and players who tweet about Russia, Trump, Global warming, social injustice are silent right now. LeBron, Pops, Kerr, China is in effect trying to do the same thing with the NBA as they are trying to do with the USA in general. Philly owner sends a chopper for Meek Mill to cater to his fans yet won`t even make one comment on China. Philly player were not allowed to comment on China last night, 2 Philly fans were thrown out of the arena for having "Free Hong Kong" signs. Where is the support from the player and coaches? China is one of the worst human rights violators on the planet, they silence dissidents, we complain about CNN and FOX, China has state run TV. They get one view..the governments view. The only way you do business with Beijing is on their terms..not yours. The NBA has the product not China..take a social stand and say screw China! Edited October 9, 2019 by Da Guru 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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