VIDEO: Shaq Defends Daryl Morey's China Tweet on NBA on TNT Pregame Show
By Adam Weinrib
Are we on the verge of seeing The Big Aristotle get reprimanded for his philosophy? A few weeks after Daryl Morey created an international incident by tweeting support for Hong Kong while they continue to rebel against China's leadership, Shaquille O'Neal became the latest NBA luminary to weigh in on the atrocities, further compromising the league's business relationship. Unlike LeBron James attempt at a public statement, O'Neal came out on Morey's side, defending what he said and his right to say it.
Tonight Shaq left NO DOUBT how he felt about Daryl Morey's Tweet supporting Hong Kong: "Daryl Morey was right. Whenever you see something wrong going on anywhere in the world, you should have the right to say 'that's not right' and that's what he did." pic.twitter.com/e6hC6isYwd
— SportsbyBrooks (@SportsbyBrooks) October 23, 2019
In case you'd blacked out LeBron's inflammatory comments, he spoke out and claimed Morey was in the wrong, then doubled down, stating he should've waited until the NBA's exhibitions in China had ended.
My team and this league just went through a difficult week. I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019
It's very easy to praise O'Neal for speaking out against injustice here, and he's definitely less linked with the NBA's current business interests in China post-retirement, so he might get off with only a warning and a pat on the back here.
Still, did you expect to see the Big Shaqtus stand up for human rights, consequences be damned, before the season opener?