NBA Fans on iMiMatch React to Donald Trump’s Accusations

Last week, in a tweet that has since been deleted and has caused a stir between the US and China, and on iMiMatch discussion threads, the General Manager of the Houston Rockets, an NBA franchise, expressed support for Hong Kong, while in China as the team prepared for the upcoming NBA season. The backlash from the tweet has been a domino effect, as Chinese companies in partnership with the Rockets have cut all ties, or at least suspended them, despite the best efforts of the team and the NBA to distance themselves from the comments. As the fallout from the tweet continues, the domino effect has somewhat expectedly found its way to President Donald Trump, who did not hold back in pointing fingers.

Daryl Morey has been one of the good guys in the modern NBA, even winning Executive of the Year in 2018, and is credited for much of the advanced metrics used religiously in the NBA today. His only official comment after the tweet has been an apology in which he stated he did not consider all perspectives before voicing his opinion. iMiMatch is torn over the whole show, some calling out the NBA, the Rockets, and players for not defending Morey and his support for democracy, while others argue the NBA is a business and has to protect its interests, especially in China where over 1.4 billion fans translate into revenue and endorsements.

Questioned about the controversy, President Donald Trump did not directly address the issue but rather singled out Golden State Warriors coach, Steve Kerr, and San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich, for criticism, saying they are holding back their tongue in an issue that demands their usual outspokenness. Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich, once player and coach, have been two of the most vocal figures in sports, especially against some of the decisions of the Trump government. iMiMatch users did acknowledge Trump’s point, but also thought by not directly speaking to the issue is doing no better than those he is calling out.