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Jonathan White

Australian basketball star Andrew Bogut has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey’s pro-Hong Kong protest tweet.
Bogut, who is no stranger to adverse reaction from Chinese social media users, tweeted from his official account on Sunday.
“Thanks @dmorey for taking some of the nmsl’s I was flooded with …!” he wrote on Sunday. “Enjoy the next few weeks anytime you post anything!”
Former NBA player Bogut, 34, ended his post with a crying emoji and the “nmsl” hashtag.

Thanks @dmorey for taking some of the nmsl’s I was flooded with....! Enjoy the next few weeks anytime you post anything! #nmsl
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) October 6, 2019

The term comes from the Mandarin for “your mother is dead” and refers to the often-used taunt online. Many of the more than 1,300 replies to Bogut’s post were merely “NMSL”.
His tweet resulted in a number of articles online on Chinese platforms such as Sina Sports. The comments on there echoed the sentiment of those on Twitter.

Tencent and Li Ning have severed ties with the Houston Rockets. The @NBA issued the following statement regarding the matter pic.twitter.com/aF5IidYw5j
— RADII (@RadiiChina) October 7, 2019

Bogut’s earlier experience with Chinese social media users stems from tweets he made in support of fellow Australian Mack Horton’s stance against China swimming star Sun Yang at the World Championships in August.
The outspoken Boomers centre was later booed at the Fiba World Cup in China, which finished last month.
Morey has felt the online backlash since he posted a tweet expressing support for the anti-government protesters in Hong Kong on his account last week.

Consulate General of the PRC in Houston published an announcement defining Daryl Morey's 'Free HK' tweet as an 'Erroneous Comment'. They urged Houston Rockets to 'correct the error and take immediate concrete measures to eliminate the adverse impact'. A diplomatic issue now. pic.twitter.com/wgf7m07NPA
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) October 6, 2019

He subsequently deleted the tweet and has since backtracked in the face of reaction from the Chinese Basketball Association, who said they would no longer work with the Rockets.
Leading Chinese brands, including Rockets sponsor SPD Development Bank, online giant Tencent and sportswear giant Li-Ning, have also cut ties.
The Chinese consulate in Houston also weighed in on Sunday. The consulate posted a statement on their website saying it had “made stern representations to the Rockets and requested them to clarify, to immediately correct any mistakes, and to eliminate any negative influences”.

Swimmers who medal vs Sun Yang should break the podiums with hammers.......
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) July 23, 2019

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said it would not broadcast Rockets matches.
Bogut, who is awaiting punishment from Fiba for a rant against the governing body ahead of receiving his World Cup bronze medal, has not ruled out a return to the NBA.
The Sydney Kings player was NBL MVP last season but he has said that he would consider a return to the NBA after the upcoming NBL season finishes if it was the right situation, according to Fox Sports.


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Fiba Asia Cup: fans think China’s men ‘all set up for failure’ with Zhou Qi missing

Hong Kong’s Oliver Xu and Ma Kong-san drafted into Chinese Basketball Association

Chinese centre Yang Hansen to skip Fiba Asia Cup to work on his game with NBA’s Portland

CBA (Chinese Basketball Association)

Andrew Bogut tells Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey to ‘enjoy the next few weeks’ on social media while Chinese consulate gets involved

Andrew Bogut of Australia (centre) in Fiba World Cup 2019 action for Australia at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing. Photo: AP

Houston Rockets’ Daryl Morey backtracks after ‘stand with Hong Kong’ backlash, saying he did not intend to offend China

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey (centre) in 2008 with Gerald Green and Bobby Jackson. The Rockets have been very popular in China since they signed Yao Ming in 2002. Photo: AFP

Chinese Basketball Association won’t work with Houston Rockets after controversial tweet

Shirts on seats before a game in the 2019 NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors in Houston, Texas on May 4, 2019. Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Retired Houston Rockets center Yao Ming speaks during his jersey number retirement ceremony at halftime of an NBA basketball game between the Rockets and the Chicago Bulls, Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey posted an image on social media of the protesters’ rallying cry, “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong”. Photo: Twitter

Mainland Chinese fans angered by Houston Rockets general manager’s tweet supporting Hong Kong protests

Some Chinese social media users have called for Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to apologise for his tweet. Photo: AFP

Sport

China

Basketball


Australian centre ends his tweet with “NMSL” hashtag, referencing the ‘your mother is dead’ message popular in China
Former NBA star has experience with Chinese online trolls after backing Mack Horton in row with Sun Yang



Australian centre ends his tweet with “NMSL” hashtag, referencing the ‘your mother is dead’ message popular in China


NBA (National Basketball Association)

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019

FIBA (International Basketball Federation)

Andrew Bogut tells Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey to ‘enjoy the next few weeks’ on social media while Chinese consulate gets involved

Australian centre ends his tweet with “NMSL” hashtag, referencing the ‘your mother is dead’ message popular in China Former NBA star has experience with Chinese online trolls after backing Mack Horton in row with Sun Yang

Australian centre ends his tweet with “NMSL” hashtag, referencing the ‘your mother is dead’ message popular in China

Former NBA star has experience with Chinese online trolls after backing Mack Horton in row with Sun Yang