Protesters in Hong Kong cheered when a ball dropped into the basket after smashing into a photo of LeBron James face that was placed above the hoop.
They also trampled on jerseys bearing his name and gathered in a semicircle to watch one burn.
James, standing among basketball fans in Hong Kong, took a hit after his comments about the ongoing protests and free speech. Fans gathered on courts amid Hong Kong's high-rise buildings Tuesday to vent their anger.
The Los Angeles Lakers star touched a nerve among protesters for suggesting that free speech can have negative consequences. Anti-government protesters have gathered for months in Hong Kong, partly in defense of free speech, which James said can carry"a lot of negative."
The protesters chanted support for Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey, who tweeted on October Fourin support of the anti-government protesters in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
I’d tell you what that same crowd of some 200 people chanted about James, but it wasn't fit for radio in any language, after James made his comments about whether Morey should be punished for the tweet causing an international controversy and had consequences for the NBA.
"Yes, we do have freedom of speech," James said. "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."
Protesters said James' comments presented a double standard because he has used his clout to press for social causes in the United States.
Others said James' comments made it seem as if he's more concerned about money than people.
Bottom line is the NBA is concerned about money—and they will be sure to make this go away.
Source:ESPN