A Behind The Scenes Look At NBA vs. China: Adam Silver Wasn't Sure If He'd Even Be Allowed In China And Then Was Pressured By LeBron To Punish Daryl Morey

[Source] - Now, Silver was flying from Tokyo to Shanghai and was unsure, according to sources, if the Chinese government would even let him into the country.

Silver opened the floor. James raised his hand.

His question was related to Morey — and the commissioner’s handling of the Rockets’ GM. James, to paraphrase, told Silver that he knew that if a player caused the same type of uproar with something he said or tweeted, the player wouldn’t be able to skate on it. There would be some type of repercussion. So, James wanted to know, what was Silver going to do about it in Morey’s case?

Silver pushed back, reminding the players that the league never doled out discipline when they publicly criticized President Donald Trump. Morey was exercising the same liberty when he challenged China. Regardless of the financial fallout of one versus the other, that’s not what should matter. Silver might have disliked the ramifications of Morey’s tweet, but he would defend the right to say it.

I know this is somehow still going on, but when you look at the money involved and the fact that it’s the Rockets and Yao involved, it all makes sense. That said this is a fascinating read on what happened behind the scenes in China.

It starts with Adam Silver not even sure if he’d be allowed in China. That’s a WILD thought process. The dude is just the commissioner of a professional league. He’s not some politician. He’s not really anything that should prevent him from going where he wants. Just the fact we live in a world where Donnie has no problem getting into China but Adam Silver wasn’t sure if he could. Whoa, that’s weird.

But, then there’s the back and forth between LeBron and Silver. I’ll say this. Silver makes a valid point and I actually agree with him. You should be able to say whatever you want, back whatever you want, express your opinion. That’s the beauty of living in America. That’s the beauty of being a human.

But the fact is this entire story can be summed up by saying this. It’s all about money. That’s what it comes down to. From the players side and the league side. No one was speaking out about the NBA/China until Morey tweeted. That started this whole thing. The NBA is a business. Of course they are going to do whatever is best for business. That shouldn’t be a shock.

Also kind of hilarious that Kyrie had to sit through a players only meeting with LeBron leading again. This was his response, which I’m sure Celtics fans won’t make fun of at all

Kyrie Irving, according to sources who were in the room, questioned whether it was worth playing the games in such a charged environment. He said he was there to play basketball games, and if a requirement for those games was dealing with the fallout Morey’s tweet created, he would rather not play at all.

All I know is, after this whole ordeal it just makes me thrilled to be living in America even more.