Rockets News: GM In Hot Water Over Controversial Tweet Backing Hong Kong Protesters

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey added something unwanted on his end following a controversial social media post supporting protesters in Hong Kong. The tweet also did not sit well with retired NBA center Yao Ming as well as sponsors, media outlets and basketball officials in China.

Morey's post has since been taken down. He originally put up a tweet to "stand with Hong Kong" in what he, later on, was his views and not of the NBA's.

“I did not intend my tweet to cause any offense to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China,” Morey said. “I was merely voicing one thought, based on one interpretation, of one complicated event. I have had a lot of opportunity since that tweet to hear and consider other perspectives.’’

Obviously, the social media post which read "Fight for Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong" has raised quite a howl. Morey made the tweet over the weekend in Japan where the Rockets are scheduled to play two exhibition games against the Toronto Raptors.

By walking back on his comments, Morey may have just put the Rockets and the NBA in a compromising position. That move runs against the league's push for free speech and commentary on politics and other social issues, the New York Times reported.

Despite the unfortunate development spurred by Morey's comments, the NBA said through spokesperson Mike Bass that it is regrettable that the Rockets' general manager's view was found offensive. However, he added that Morey had the right to say them.

“While Daryl has made it clear that his tweet does not represent the Rockets or the NBA, the values of the league support individuals’ educating themselves and sharing their views on matters important to them,’’ Bass said. “We have great respect for the history and culture of China and hope that sports and the NBA can be used as a unifying force to bridge cultural divides and bring people together.”

The Rockets do not plan to sanction Morey for his social media post according to sources from the same report. Seeing however that there are some games scheduled to be played in China, things are expected to get a bit awkward.

Set to play games this week are the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets in two exhibitions matches in China. As for Morey, there are reportedly discussions of removing him as general manager in light of the China fallout according to The Ringer.