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James Harden, Mike D’Antoni decline to address LeBron James’ China comments

Rockets, Mike D'Antoni, James Harden, LeBron James

The Houston Rockets declined to address the comments made by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, which passively condemned general manager Daryl Morey for a pro-Hong Kong tweet that angered the Chinese government and consequently threw the NBA into a geopolitical tiff. Head coach Mike D’Antoni and superstar James Harden respectfully declined to respond to James’ long pre-game comments and the ensuing tweets to mend its understanding.

“From our viewpoint, nothing’s changed,” said D’Antoni on Tuesday, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. “I’m not going to comment on what other guys talked about.”

Harden echoed that sentiment, instead zeroing in on the task at hand, now merely one week away from the start of the 2019-20 regular season.

“At this point, I’m focused on what we’ve got here in this locker room, focused on getting better every single day,” said Harden.

New forward acquisition Thabo Sefolosha, no stranger to social or political comments, offered only a courteous reply.

“Everybody is entitled to their opinion, entitled to what they want to say,” said Sefolosha. “I don’t really have anything to say about it. Everybody is entitled to their opinion.”

Veteran Tyson Chandler, who shared the court with James last season, took a similar route.

“I followed it,” Chandler said of James pregame comments and subsequent Monday night tweet. “I don’t have any thoughts. Everybody’s opinion is their own. LeBron’s are his. Daryl’s are his. I like to stay out of (commenting on) people’s thoughts.”

James spurred plenty of feedback from fans after taking a puzzling approach, one that could be said to be counterintuitive to what his previous views on democracy have been. The Lakers star said Morey “could have waited another week” to voice out his support for the people of Hong Kong, not considering the circumstances or ramifications his tweet may have.

This comes after nearly two weeks of silence from James, who strategically chose to be within the confines of the United States before opining on the matter after spending last week in China for two preseason games against the Brooklyn Nets.

The post James Harden, Mike D’Antoni decline to address LeBron James’ China comments appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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