It seems that China wasn’t the only party that wanted Daryl Morey dealt with.
LeBron James was not his usual self in the second game against the Brooklyn Nets in China. He did not play well and didn’t seem to care. Now his listless play makes sense. He was distracted by off the floor issues.
Something that was spread out over both franchises. Something that ESPN’s Rachel Nichols discussed before the first game.
The latest from Shanghai - players are getting frustrated, and no one knows if Thursday's Lakers-Nets game is really going to happen. pic.twitter.com/qsH7lCG97x
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 9, 2019
It’s now coming to light that LeBron was frustrated that Morey was “misinformed” or “uneducated” on how his tweet could threaten both the players’ safety and potential business deals.
Adam Silver did meet with players on the Lakers and Nets to air their grievances about being caught in the middle of the drama that they did not create. With Daryl Morey not even being in the country at the time that all of this was going on, LeBron James had opinions for Silver.
It wasn’t the politest of conversations according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. According to him, LeBron James was very angry that the players had to go through unnecessary changes while the NBA and Daryl Morey were silent.
James’ feeling of a double standard related to Morey along with Silver’s willingness to stand by the Rockets’ GM has merit. James believes that if a player caused the same level of controversy with a tweet, the player wouldn’t be as “safe” as Morey. Repercussions would definitely be in effect.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and Craig Hodges come to mind when they spoke out on their beliefs in the 1990s. They were allegedly blackballed from the league. James asked for Silver’s plans for Morey’s case.
Adam Silver’s argument is based on the culture he set up protecting the players when they felt like they wanted to speak out on social issues (Publicly criticizing President Donald Trump by calling him a bum qualifies!). Morey was exercising the same liberty when he challenged China. In other words, Mr. Silver might not have liked the ramifications of Morey’s tweet, but based on his actions in the past, he had to defend the Daryl Morey’s right to say it.
Taking the argument further, just like LeBron with the Lakers, Morey is under contract with the Houston Rockets. Unless he breaks a rule that affects the morals clause, there could be legal ramifications for wrongful termination if fired. Even if Morey was on the hot seat, how the NBA deals with Morey going forward is none of LeBron’s business. It would be a personnel matter.
Speaking of Adam Silver, LeBron James may need that ongoing culture going forward. Here’s why.