NBA, China & Free Speech
b'The relationship between China and the NBA \\u2014 a multibillion-dollar relationship that involves media rights, streaming, merchandise sales and much more \\u2014 is under strain thanks to a since-deleted tweet from Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey that showed support for Hong Kong anti-government protesters. The tweet prompted an immediate backlash, complicated further by the timing of the NBA having two preseason games in China this week. \\u201cWe apologize,\\u201d Rockets star James Harden said in Japan on Monday. \\u201cWe love China. We love playing there." The Rockets are among the biggest team brands there, because Chinese star Yao Ming \\u2014 a Basketball Hall of Famer \\u2014 spent his NBA career with Houston. But there\'s also some fallout at home, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle crying foul over the apology itself. ABC\'s Jim Ryan is following and joins Tony.'