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Article snippet: The NBA is facing backlash over its response to a statement made by the Houston Rockets' general manager that prompted a fierce reaction from China. Daryl Morey in a tweet on Friday voiced support for the thousands of protesters that have taken to the streets of Hong Kong in recent weeks, writing: "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong.” The demonstrations in the special autonomous region, which until the mid-1990s was a British colony, have turned notably violent in recent days, as protesters seek to pressure the local government over its close ties to Beijing. In response to Morey's statement, the Chinese Basketball Association suspended ties with the Rockets, despite the fact that Morey deleted his initial tweet. He also later issued a statement on Twitter, saying he did not intend "to cause any offense to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China." The NBA issued its own statement later on Sunday, saying it recognized that Morey's comments "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 support individuals' educating themselves and sharing their views on matters important to them. 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." The statement drew immediate backlash online, with journalis... Link to the full article to read more