Does Daryl Morey’s Rockets resignation mean the saga is ended? A timeline of the NBA’s China crisis
- Player attacks, hall-of-famer defences, support, criticism, accusations and rebuttals – all have been a feature of a hugely turbulent period for relations between the NBA and China
Now, with the announcement that the offending Morey will leave his post with the Rockets, it seems like both sides are preparing to put the saga to bed. But questions still abound.
Below is a timeline of the key events that started with Morey’s controversial tweet and led up to today, when Morey became no longer an employee of the NBA, as Chinese officials apparently requested all along.
October 4, 2019
Morey’s supportive tweet
The Houston Rockets are due in China for a preseason exhibition during the turbulent period of unrest in Hong Kong. The Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweets an image showing support for anti-government protesters with the words: “Stand With Hong Kong”. Morey deletes the tweet soon after.
October 5
Rockets in preservation mode
October 6
The fallout begins
October 7
Harden toes the line
The Houston Rockets’ star player James Harden speaks to the media during a trip to Tokyo and apologises for the incident saying, “We apologise. We love China.”
October 8
NBA China event affected
October 8
NBA chief defends Morey
Later that day, NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks out in defence of his employees’ rights to freedom of expression as the league comes under fire from Chinese fans and partners.
October 9
CCTV and retailers begin blacklisting
Chinese state TV channel CCTV says it will suspend its broadcasting of the NBA as e-commerce platforms Taobao, JD.com and Pinduoduo block the sale of any products related to the Rockets.
October 10
Activists show support
Activists in the US attend a preseason game in Washington, where the Wizards host CBA team Guangzhou Loong Lions, holding up signs in support of the Hong Kong protesters. Security throws out a man holding a “Free Tibet” sign.
October 11
China exhibition goes ahead
After eleventh-hour talks, an exhibition game between the Brooklyn Nets and the LA Lakers is allowed to go ahead in Shanghai, but CCTV and Tencent refuse to show coverage of the game. Promotional events were cancelled and posters removed across Shanghai.
October 12
Pompeo urges NBA to stay strong
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urges the NBA to stand up to China despite increasing criticism. Pompeo says he wishes the NBA had acknowledged the detainment of Uygur Muslims in internment camps.
October 14
James attacks Morey
LA Lakers superstar LeBron James says Morey was “misinformed” about the ramifications of his tweet and “uneducated” on the situation in Hong Kong.
October 15
Hongkongers turn on James
Protesters in Hong Kong burn James’ LA Lakers jerseys, outraged at his criticism of Morey and the four-time NBA champion’s implicit support for the Chinese government. The protesters hold signs that read: “Thank you Morey. Stand with Hong Kong”.
October 17
Silver accuses China
Silver reveals that the Chinese government and the league’s business partners in China asked for Morey to be sacked over the tweet.
October 18
China denies accusation
Beijing denies that Chinese officials asked for Morey to be sacked over his tweet supporting Hong Kong anti-government protesters.
October 19
CCTV threatens Silver
CCTV issues ominous threat to Silver, warning that he will face “retribution” for defaming China after he claimed government officials had asked him to fire Morey over the tweet.
October 23
Shaq defends Morey
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal says “Daryl Morey was right” as fans protest during the opening night of games featuring the LA Lakers and the Toronto Raptors.
October 25
Pence criticises NBA
US Vice-President Mike Pence condemns NBA players and executives who he accuses of siding with the Chinese government over its criticism of Morey.
February 4
NBA warns teams off China visits
NBA issues a China travel warning to its teams, advising them against playing in the coronavirus-affected country. NBA sources estimate that, by that time, the league had lost between US$150 million and US$200 million during its ongoing China blackout.
July 1
Silver has hope
Silver discusses a thawing of relations with China as he calls for “mutual respect” and reveals talks have been ongoing with Chinese government officials. Silver speculates that the NBA may have lost up to US$400 million from lack of access to China, its largest market outside the US.
July 30
CCTV refuses to bend
As the NBA season resumes in Florida after pausing during the outbreak of the coronavirus, CCTV reiterates its stance on broadcasting league games and insists it will continue its league blackout.
August 19
NBA feels Xinjiang pressure
The largest Muslim pressure group in the US, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, urges the NBA to “stand on the right side of history” over Uygur Muslim oppression in Xinjiang, China, asking the organisation to cease all operations in China and “prioritise its commitment to social justice over profits”.
October 10, 2020
NBA returns to Chinese TV
NBA makes an unexpected return to TVs in China as CCTV resumes its broadcasting of the league with little fanfare. The potential championship-deciding game between the LA Lakers and Miami Heat is the first NBA game to be televised on the state broadcaster in over a year.
October 16
Rockets fire Morey
Morey announces his resignation one year into a five-year contract just weeks after leading the Rockets into the NBA Finals for a record eighth consecutive time. The news is celebrated on Chinese social media.
