Basketball player James Harden says the Houston Rockets aren't being distracted by the growing pressure surrounding the NBA and its relationship with China
The controversy, which is threatening the team's popularity in China, was sparked by Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, who expressed support for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in a since deleted tweet over the weekend. The former British colony, now controlled by China, is in the midst of months of political unrest and Morey's tweet triggered an angry backlash.
China won't show NBA preseason games as backlash over Hong Kong tweet growsJames Harden said the Houston Rockets was not distracted by off-court issues. NBA controversy The NBA has invested millions in developing the basketball in China where an estimated 300 million people now play the sport.
Rockets scandal is forcing fans to choose between sport and countryHarden was keen to keep the team's Chinese audience onside and initially apologized for the controversy on Monday."We apologize, we love China, we love playing here," the 30-year-old told reporters. "We go there once or twice a year, they show us the most support and love so we appreciate them as a fan base. "We love everything they are about.
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