I’m sure you’ve noticed there’s been a bit of a feud going on between China and the NBA after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey took to Twitter to voice his support for the Hong Kong people who are demonstrating for democracy. The tweet was sent out from the manager while the teams were actually in China for preseason games.
The tweet from Morey has opened up a new dispute between the NBA and US lawmakers as more than a few NBA administrators and top stars have publicly sided with China — which has ultimately led to Vice President Mike Pence stinking his big bird nose in the middle of things.
“Some of the NBA’s biggest players and owners, who routinely exercise their freedom to criticize this country, lose their voices when it comes to the freedom and rights of other peoples,” Pence said in a statement yesterday. “In siding with the Chinese Communist Party and silencing free speech, the NBA is acting like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the authoritarian regime.”
But one of the league’s most recognizable TV studio analysts is having none of Mike Pence’s shit.
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Charles Barkley, one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players of All-Time, member of the original Dream Team Olympic squad, and Hall of Fame player took a moment during TNT’s pregame show last night to let know Pence know just exactly what he thinks of him.
“Vice President Pence needs to shut the hell up, number one,” Barkley fired off. “All American companies are doing business in China. I thought the criticism of commissioner Silver and LeBron James was unfair. Daryl Morey—who I like—he can say whatever he wants to. But there are consequences.”
“I don’t understand why these holier-than-thou politicians—if they’re so worried about China, why don’t they stop all transactions with China?” he continued. “President Trump has been talking about and arguing with tariffs for China for the last two years. I think it’s unfair for them to do all their business in China and, just because this thing happens, try to make the NBA and our players look bad. All American companies do business in China. Period.”
While opinions within the NBA have been across the board, Barkley has made sure that everyone, including Mike Pence, no precisely where he stands.
You can watch the clip here:
Charles Barkley on TNT NBA pregame replying to VP’s comment of China & the NBA “Vice President Pence needs to shut the hell up” pic.twitter.com/dBSSHMHlRd
— WonderousATX (@wonderousATX) October 24, 2019
Featured image via Political Tribune gallery
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