Basketball player LeBron James has weighed in on a row between China and the NBA, saying a team manager "wasn't educated" when he tweeted in support of protesters in Hong Kong.

In the now deleted tweet, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said on 4 October: "Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong".

The message sparked a backlash and prompted Chinese sponsors and partners to cut ties with the league and the National Basketball Association (NBA) to face complicated questions about free speech.

Speaking ahead of the LA Lakers' game against Golden State Warriors, James said: "We all talk about this freedom of speech. Yes, we all do have freedom of speech.

Image: Daryl Morey sparked a backlash from many in China over his comments about Hong Kong

"But at times there are ramifications for the negative that can happen when you're not thinking about others."


He added: "I don't want to get into a word or sentence feud with Daryl.

"But I believe he wasn't educated on the situation at hand and he spoke."

Later, James clarified his statements on Twitter, saying he was referring to the consequences of Mr Morey's comment.

Let me clear up the confusion. I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet. I’m not discussing the substance. Others can talk About that. — LeBron James (@KingJames) 15 October 2019

My team and this league just went through a difficult week. I think people need to understand what a tweet or statement can do to others. And I believe nobody stopped and considered what would happen. Could have waited a week to send it. — LeBron James (@KingJames) October 15, 2019

"Let me clear up the confusion. I do not believe there was any consideration for the consequences and ramifications of the tweet," James tweeted.

"I'm not discussing the substance. Others can talk About that."

Pro-democracy protesters have been engaged in months of violent street clashes with police in Hong Kong over a call to maintain freedoms that say are being eroded by the Chinese government.

But now it is James who is facing his own backlash, after some fans in the US and China reacted angrily to his comments.

One Twitter user replied: "Love you Bron, but you should have waited until...NEVER to say what you had to say today."

Another said: "I'm so sorry for the difficult time you are having. Maybe you can wipe your tears with your freedom and millions of dollars while the Uighurs suffer."

Other users responded by posting the emoji of bags of money.

The row was also trending on Weibo, China's equivalent to Twitter, and Douyin, a popular video platform.

But some people defended the basketball star, with one writing on Weibo: "My James is being attacked by Americans, Americans believe Morey should be supported, and James' words are basically opposing Morey."

While another said: "Sigh, I love you James, hope you can continue to be healthy and play ball!"

James, who has been outspoken on issues such as racism and police brutality in the past, is one of the few NBA representatives to speak openly about the controversy.

A Houston Rockets staff member shut down a CNN reporter in Tokyo last week over questions about the row.

The league later apologised in a statement.