Daryl Morey set off an international firestorm last year with a tweet supporting protestors in Hong Kong, and he says in an interview with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan that he feared it would cost him his NBA career.
The Sixers‘ new president of basketball operations was still general manager in Houston when he sent the tweet in October of 2019. Although the Rockets resisted demands from Chinese officials to fire Morey, he understood that he put the league in a difficult position considering the business dealings it has in China.
Morey explained that he had gotten to know several Hong Kong residents in business school and wanted to show solidarity for their cause. Although he said he’s still “very comfortable” with his decision, the tweet caused a huge controversy and cost the league hundreds of millions in international revenue.
“In the last 12 months, I had moments where I thought I might never work in the NBA again, for reasons I was willing to go down for,” Morey said. “But I love working, I love what I do, and I didn’t want that to happen.”
There’s more from Philadelphia:
- Ben Simmons has heard his name mentioned as a potential trade piece to bring James Harden to Philadelphia, but he’s focused on the season rather than the rumors, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “I come in every day, take it a day at a time, ready to work,” Simmons said. “I’m with my teammates. … Every day I wake up, every time I got a Sixers uniform on, I’m representing the Sixers. So my mentality never changes. I’m here to win a championship. That goal is never gonna change. I know things are always going to be said in the media, and rumors and things like that, but my goal is to come in every day and get better and help the team that I’m on win a championship.”
- Tyronn Lue was scheduled to interview for the Sixers’ head coaching job in September, but he never had Joel Embiid‘s support, according to Bill Oram and Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Lue had the backing of agent Rich Paul, who represents Simmons, and Embiid wasn’t comfortable with Simmons’ “guy” being hired. Embiid also opposed Lue for “X’s and O’s reasons,” per The Athletic’s duo.
- The additions of Doc Rivers and Morey brought excitement to Philadelphia, but Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer warns Sixers fans to be realistic in their expectations. He believes that unless Morey can upgrade the supporting cast around Embiid and Simmons, the Sixers will be in the running for fifth place in a more competitive Eastern Conference.
Team chemistry is still sh*t as the point about hiring Lue shows. Embiid or Simmons has to be traded, if neither can grow up enough to play with the other. The first signs of trouble will probably cause a meltdown. How would Embiid feel if Morey brought in “his guy”, James Harden?
Lue will have far more success in LA than Doc will in Philly.
Incorrect….again…but you are consistent if nothing else.
I’d trade Embiid over Simmons – Embiid is older, more injury prone, and plays a position that’s quickly becoming role player only
Simmons – IF he learns how to shoot – is an All NBA 1st team talent. Also easier to build around IMO
Simmons can’t shoot plain and simple. He’ll never learn to shoot. He’ll be a 4 playing the point forever because he can pass. The way Philly is built right now, Simmons ineptitude from the perimeter will hardly matter. What I’ve learned from just watching the first Nets game and the first half of 6ers/Wizards is that James Harden will be playing in Houston for the foreseeable future. Both Philly and Brooklyn would instantly become worse by getting rid of the talent they would need to in order to bring in Harden. I guess maybe if Golden State feels they need a Hail Mary to save the season he could be on the move but aside from that he’s basically stuck.
Yep, believe every rumor the click bait media pushes…sounds like a great plan
Morey almost loses his job for calling out China which is committing crimes against humanity, yet Lebron James who profits off Nike using Uighur camps makes SI’s Sportsperson of the Year for activism.
Rarely do I agree with your politically oriented comments, but today we’re on the same page. Take your thumbs up, and happy holidays to you. :)
you too
ain’t like da usa hasnt commited crimes aginst humanity. have u seen them set up concentration camps during WWLL?? U americans dont seem to understand the HK situation. also look at da plice brutality thats been trending in da us u can’t deny that.
If we set up concentration camps here in 2020 I would say the same thing if any player refused to call it out and profited on its slave labor.
yk theres another chinese muslim ethnic group called da hui and for some reason china doesn’t abuse their rights. idk why but its gotta do something with their troubled past history of ethnic conflicts. Literally Hk is crying bout some law thats already vetoed yk and they make a big deal out of it.
Great points.
Simmons is not gonna be traded. Embiid is not gonna be traded this season.