NBA superstar LeBron James has proudly used his platform to speak about social injustices in the past, but he failed short when Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted a meme that read, “Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.” LeBron took sides with the Chinese government by saying Morey “was either misinformed or not really educated on the situation.”

When asked if Morey should be reprimanded for the tweet, LeBron told reporters,”Yes, we do have freedom of speech. But at times, there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you’re not thinking about others, when you only think about yourself. I don’t want to get into a word or sentence feud with Daryl Morey, but I believe he wasn’t educated on the situation at hand, and he spoke. So many people could have been harmed, not only financially but physically, emotionally, spiritually. So just be careful what we tweet and what we say and what we do. Even though yes, we do have freedom of speech, it can be a lot of negative that comes with it.”

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After Morey’s tweet supporting the Hong Kong protesters, the Lakers boarded a plane for a 13-hour flight to China. When they landed, the team was met with outrage from the Chinese government and the NBA, which resulted in China’s national broadcaster CCTV not airing the two NBA preseason games.

Lebron clarified his statement by later adding, “I believe (Morey) was either misinformed or not really educated on the situation, and if he was, then so be it. But I have no idea. That’s just my belief.” He continued, “When you say things or do things, you’re doing it and you know the people that can be affected by it, and the families and the individuals and everyone that can be affected by it. Sometimes things can be challenging as well. Also sometimes, social media is not always the proper way to go about things as well. But that’s just my belief.”

After Lebron’s comments, protesters in Hong Kong let him know how they felt by burning his jerseys in public.

One tweet that ‘The King’ posted in January 2018 is making its rounds again: “Injustice Anywhere Is A Threat To Justice Everywhere- Our Lives Begin To End The Day We Become Silent About Things That Matter #ThankYouMLK50”

But apparently, LeBron doesn’t share that same sentiment with the people of Hong Kong.

After arriving back home, Lebron tweeted, “Let me clear up the confusion. I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet. I’m not discussing the substance. Others can talk about that. … My team and this league just went through a difficult week. I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it.”

He added, “My team and this league just went through a difficult week. I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it.”

LeBron is obviously worried about his massive money flow that comes from China as Senator Cruz pointed out when he spoke to TMZ Sports.

“LeBron James, he’s a hell of a player but it sure seems his comments were more interested in money and making bucks and I get it, Nike’s a big sponsor of his and he makes a whole lot of money, but kissing up to Chinese communists and tyrants and apologizing for murderers, that’s not a good look for the NBA,” said Senator Cruz.

Cruz advised that Lebron educate himself on the Chinese government’s human rights abuses before defending them.

The senator continued, “We don’t need to embrace censorship and propaganda, and sadly that’s what the Chinese government wants the NBA to do.”