A reporter asked James Harden and Russell Westbrook about the NBA's China debacle. She was swiftly shut down.

(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/gifdsports)

published 10 October 2019

The NBA's Hong Kong debacle is quickly spiraling.

Ever since Houston Rockets manager Daryl Morey got himself into hot water with the basketball league for supporting the anti-Beijing protest movement in Hong Kong, the NBA has been at the center of a debate over whether a U.S. company should kowtow to Beijing's politics to protect business interests. Two 76ers fans were reportedly kicked out of a preseason NBA game in Philadelphia for holding "Free Hong Kong" signs, and ESPN executives are reportedly discouraging network staffers from talking politics when covering the story.

The apparent hope to quash the controversy extended on Thursday, when CNN reporter Christina Macfarlane asked Rockets stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook whether the situation and fallout had changed their thoughts about speaking freely on political issues. Macfarlane was quickly shut down, and the players did not answer her question, which she insisted was "legitimate" after an event organizer told her it was out of line. Watch the moment below. Summer Meza

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.

Subscribe to The Week

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox