The Philadelphia 76ers officially named Daryl Morey president of basketball operations on Monday following his recent decision to step down as the Houston Rockets general manager and over a year after he ignited controversy on both sides of the Pacific with a tweet supporting protesters in Hong Kong.
‘Talent like Daryl rarely becomes available so we moved quickly and aggressively to bring him here,’ team owner Josh Harris said.
‘He has an extraordinary track record of success in this league as an innovator, visionary and leader, 샌즈카지노 and I believe he significantly improves our chances of delivering a championship caliber team to our fans.
This offseason, we made it our mission to make this organization better and stronger. ‘
The Philadelphia 76ers officially named Daryl Morey president of basketball operations on Monday following his recent decision to step down as the Houston Rockets general manager and 메리트카지노 over a year after he ignited controversy on both sides of the Pacific Ocean with a tweet supporting protesters in Hong Kong
Houston Rockets’ general manager, Daryl Morey, apologized for the tweet he swiftly deleted that included an image of the activists’ rally cry: ‘Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong’
Chinese workers have been filmed ripping down NBA signs in Shanghai after state broadcasters vowed not to air league games in the aftermath of Morey’s tweet last year
The team also extended the contract of general manager Elton Brand.
Morey stepped down as GM of the Rockets this month after blockbuster moves that failed to lead the franchise to the NBA Finals.
The Rockets made the playoffs 10 times since Morey was hired in 2007, including the last eight seasons, for the longest active streak in the NBA.
Despite the Rockets’ success under Morey, his tenure in Houston may be best remembered for his October 2019 tweet supporting protesters in Hong Kong – a social media post that drew the ire of China and 메리트카지노 resulted in millions of dollars in losses for the league.
‘Fight For Freedom,’ read the graphic attached to the Twitter post.
‘Stand With Hong Kong.’
Protesters in Hong Kong slam LeBron James for his perceived submission to the Chinese regime, while many hold up signs thanking then-Rockets GM Daryl Morey for his support
Sixers owner Josh Harris (right) also gave general manager Elton Brand (left) an extension
There was no indication that Morey’s exit in Houston was related to the tweet, which set off a year-long quarrel between the NBA and China, a reported $4 billion market for the league.
In response, China banned the NBA from state television for one year – a hiatus that recently ended, allowing the country to broadcast Games 5 and 6 of the 2020 NBA Finals.
The NBA lost about $400 million in Chinese business, according to league commissioner Adam Silver (pictured), and faced criticism in the US for its perceived kowtowing to the communist regime in Beijing
Morey deleted his tweet shortly after posting it, and in a statement, the NBA called the incident ‘regrettable,’ but the longtime NBA executive was never punished, nor did the league offer an apology to China.
Chinese streaming giant, Tencent, continued to air NBA games following Morey’s tweet; but as the Los Angeles Times reported in February, the number of league broadcasts was reduced and several advertisers bailed in the aftermath of the controversy.
Morey had tweeted in support of the protests in Hong Kong, a Chinese-ruled city embroiled in a political crisis due to months of anti-government protests stemming from a controversial extradition bill.
State media, including CCTV, criticized Morey for his tweet, which was labelled an example of Western interference in a bid to foment unrest and stir up anti-China sentiment, while Chinese partners severed or suspended ties with the NBA.
Anti-NBA protests followed in both mainland China, where fans took aim at LeBron James, and among Hong Kong protesters.
And in the US, Chinese-American fans began wearing pro-Hong Kong apparel to preseason games while protesting the regime in Beijing.
In the end, the NBA lost about $400 million in Chinese business, according to league commissioner Adam Silver, and faced criticism in the US for its perceived kowtowing to the communist regime.
Demonstrators set a Lebron James jersey on fire during a rally at the Southorn Playground in Hong Kong on October 15, 2019.
James had criticized Morey’s decision to tweet about China
Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers talks before Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park on Sunday
Houston went 640-400 under Morey and won a franchise-record 65 regular-season games in the 2017-18 season. He leaves the Rockets with 62 percent of their payroll tied up in two players: NBA leading scorer James Harden and point guard Russell Westbrook, who struggled in his first season with the team.
Brand was named general manager on September 20, 2018.
He helped lead the hiring process that landed coach Doc Rivers early last month.
‘This offseason, we made it our mission to make this organization better and stronger. By hiring a tremendous front-office leader in Daryl and 크레이지슬롯 championship coach in Doc, as well as extending Elton, we’re proud of what we’ve assembled,’ Harris said.
The Sixers believed they were ready to contend for their first championship in 37 years and Brand 크레이지슬롯 spent $180 million to re-sign Tobias Harris and nearly $100 million to sign free agent Al Horford away from Boston. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid emerged from The Process to become All-Stars and earn hefty contracts but have yet to prove they can carry the Sixers into serious championship contention.
‘Thank you to Josh Harris for the trust he has placed in me to lead the 76ers,’ Morey said.
‘I am humbled by the challenge and will work tirelessly to win the hearts of Philadelphia’s legendary fans.’
Morey inherits a team with center Joel Embiid (left) and point forward Ben Simmons (right)
