Hong Kong protesters burn LeBron James' jersey in wake of Daryl Morey comments

Thomas Lott

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Hong Kong protesters burn LeBron James' jersey in wake of Daryl Morey comments image

LeBron James' comments on Daryl Morey's Hong Kong tweet are not going over well with protesters.

James' jersey was burned and trampled in demonstrations in Hong Kong one day after the four-time MVP told reporters Morey "was misinformed" on the situation, referring to the risk he put players and teams in that were in China at the time of his tweet.

"I don't want to get into a (verbal) feud with Daryl Morey, but I believe he wasn't educated on the situation at hand, and he spoke," James said Monday, via ESPN. "And so many people could have been harmed not only financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually. So just be careful what we tweet and say and we do, even though, yes, we do have freedom of speech, but there can be a lot of negative that comes with that, too."

People who have been protesting in Hong Kong for the better part of a few months — somewhat about free speech — were not pleased with James' comments and were seen burning his jersey Tuesday.

"James was trying, you know, to take a side, on the China side, which is, like, ridiculous," Aaron Lee, a 36-year-old marketing director, said via ESPN and the Associated Press. "He was being honest, financially. Financial is money. Simple as that. LeBron James stands for money. Period."

Initially, James' comments were seen as saying Morey did not understand the situation going on in Hong Kong, but the 15-time All-Star took to Twitter to clarify he meant he was "misinformed" on what consequences his actions would have on players who were in China at the time. 

He spoke with reporters Tuesday about the backlash he received for his comments and Tweets on Monday.

"I know that every word I say is going to be broken down on however you feel, or you see, (that) I said," James said, emphasizing he believes his initial comments were taken out of context. "So that comes with the territory and that's OK with me."

Thomas Lott