Silver was said to be thoughtful and transparent in a meeting with players, coaches and execsNBAE/getty images
The "most seminal moment of a week full of chaos, volatility and confusion" for the NBA during its trip to China came on Oct. 9, when a meeting involving NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and both the Lakers and Nets was "immediately followed by a players-only discussion among both teams," according to Shams Charania of THE ATHLETIC. Silver was "said to be extremely thoughtful and transparent with Lakers and Nets players, coaches and executives present." Sources said that he "discussed that he believed players should face the media and support the league's openness toward freedom of expression, wanting to open the room up for discussion and an open-minded approach toward the situation." Sources also said that LeBron James "spoke up in front of everyone in the room and stated he believed that Silver and the NBA needed to explain and articulate the situation first, before the players would have to." James "expressed concern that without the league being able to speak to media to address all of the questions and dynamics about China and the NBA, it was unfair for solely players to bear that responsibility." Sources added that James "explained to everyone in the room that he felt it would be unfair for Lakers and Nets players to explain this international issue in Shanghai before the NBA did." James "understood many players were not in a position to attack the questions head on, and led the joint players-only meeting after their session with Silver." Sources said that the players "discussed making sure they felt safe and protected without thrusting themselves in unfair positions." Nets G Kyrie Irving and Lakers F Kyle Kuzma "joined James in speaking during the players-only meeting" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/14).
PLAYERS WANTED SILVER OUT FRONT: In L.A., Tania Ganguli reports James spoke up and said that Silver "should be on the front lines of any league communication with the media." James yesterday said, "It would have been very unfair for a kid like Talen Horton-Tucker, who is a 19-year-old rookie, to have to comment about such issues that he has absolutely nothing (to do with), that he has no knowledge about." Ganguli notes Lakers GM Rob Pelinka "became the Lakers' point of contact with the league," while James and Lakers C Anthony Davis "became his liaisons to the players." They "met in conference rooms at the Ritz Carlton Shanghai making sure to keep each other informed." Silver "never met" with Yao Ming, who is now the president of the Chinese Basketball Association. However, a source said that they "spoke at least 10 times a day." A source also said that the league behind the scenes "received calls from several American government officials." Some calls "offered support," while other "offered ideas for how to deal with their predicament." Others "reached out to discuss relations" between the U.S. and China (L.A. TIMES, 10/15).
WHAT ABOUT MOREY? ESPN's Rachel Nichols reported Silver was asked by the players "point blank whether anything was going to happen" to Daryl Morey, since it was the Rockets GM's tweet that started the situation. Several players "felt that if a player had cost the league millions of dollars with a tweet, there would be some sort of repercussions." The league has indicated that it will not punish Morey. Meanwhile, Nichols said the whole experience in China "was absolutely surreal, particularly on the day that the Chinese government was removing all the banners and NBA signage" that had been put up around Shanghai ("The Jump," ESPN, 10/14).
NOT GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON: In L.A., Kyle Goon writes it "seems difficult to imagine" that the controversy will "go away soon." The NBA will be "pressed to continue exhibition games in China," but a question to consider is which teams are "going to want to go." Goon: "Which teams are going to want their players subjected to questions about what it's like to be the first teams to play since the international incident that briefly flared up tensions between the NBA and China? What do they think of how China handles Hong Kong (because in a year, a lack of knowledge on the situation will be a less convincing case)?" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/15). Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Jonathan White writes things are "getting back to normal," as the Chinese media members have "resumed their daily updates on the NBA" and China-based Tencent are "screening the games they paid so much to secure." For now, it "looks like it could be going in the right direction." White writes for the NBA, it is "say nothing, offend no one," then "move on." That will "work for everyone but the Rockets at least, whose time it appears is done." White: "But for how long?" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 10/15).
LOOKING BIG PICTURE: ESPN's Nichols noted the NBA "will remain" in business with China going forward, but it is "inarguable that being in the China business is going to be more challenging for both the league and the players who promote shoes over there." However, that is "not a bad thing," as there are "big, important issues at play here that deserve a high level of attention." ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz said, "What we've seen here is the end of an age of innocence. ... For about a decade, the league has been performing this magic trick, which is it's established itself as a very progressive league that is interested in cultural and political issues at home, while at the same time they've been able to cultivate this market without ever actually having to address some of the politically and culturally sensitive issues over in China. That's all over." He added players are becoming businessmen and global brands, but being a global brand "means that you actually have to confront a lot of the challenges that come with being a global brand" ("The Jump," ESPN, 10/14).
