Rockets general manager Daryl Morey issued an apology Sunday for his recent controversial tweet, while conflicting reports surfaced about his job security.
Morey posted a now-deleted tweet Friday night that read “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong” and referenced ongoing protests in Hong Kong last week.
In light of that, a report from The Ringer suggested Morey is "on thin ice" with the Rockets, while The Athletic reports his job is safe.
Morey issued a statement Sunday addressing the fallout from the tweet.
"I did not intend my tweet to cause any offense to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China," Morey said, via Twitter, Sunday. "I was merely voicing one thought, based on one interpretation, of one complicated event. I have had a lot of opportunity since that tweet to hear and consider other perspectives.
"I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors have provided and I would hope that those who are upset will know that offending or misunderstanding them was not my intention. My tweets are my own and in no way represent the Rockets or the NBA."
2/ I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors have provided and I would hope that those who are upset will know that offending or misunderstanding them was not my intention. My tweets are my own and in no way represent the Rockets or the NBA.
— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) October 7, 2019
The NBA followed with its own statement, also released Sunday, saying the league recognizes "that the views expressed by Morey have deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China, which is regrettable."
"While Daryl has made it clear that his tweet does not represent the Rockets or the NBA, the values of the league support individuals’ educating themselves and sharing their views on matters important to them," the statement continued. "We have great respect for the history and culture of China and hope that sports and the NBA can be used as a unifying force to bridge cultural divides and bring people together.”
It's unclear what, if anything, the league or Rockets will do to the Rockets' longtime GM, but The Ringer's report suggested he's "on thin ice."
"Morey is an incredibly bright guy, but after asking around it’s clear that he did not anticipate that his tweet would spark an international incident. From what I was told, Morey has friends in Hong Kong and was concerned with their safety, in light of the Chinese government’s ongoing attempts to restrict freedom of speech and assembly in their fight with Hong Kong over the extradition bill. Morey did what he thought was right, but his actions had significant unintended consequences."
However, a report from The Athletic suggests that while the situation is "undeniably a mess," Morey's job is safe.
Two sources with knowledge of the Rockets' ownership thinking strongly refute the Ringer report indicating that the GM Daryl Morey's job is in jeopardy as a result of the Hong Kong tweet-China situation. That being said, it's undeniably a mess.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) October 6, 2019
Since Morey's original tweet Friday, the Chinese Basketball Association — which is headed by Rockets legend Yao Ming — issued a statement on Weibo — a social media platform specific to China — expressing “strong opposition” to Morey’s “improper remarks regarding Hong Kong.”
The CBA said it was suspending “exchanges and cooperation” with the Rockets, The Ringer report noted.
Owner Tilman Fertitta was the first to respond to the tweet, tweeting Morey "does NOT speak for the" organization.
“I have the best general manager in the league. Everything is fine with Daryl and me," Fertitta said later in the statement. "We got a huge backlash, and I wanted to make clear that (the organization) has no (political) position. We’re here to play basketball and not to offend anybody.”
Morey has been Houston's general manager since 2007 and has helped the team win three division titles since assuming the position.