James’ essay in the newspaper, known for signalling Beijing’s views on a variety of issues, follows his visits to Chinese megacities Shanghai and Chengdu as part of the Forever King Tour, marking the 20th anniversary of his first Nike tour of Asia.
“The enthusiasm and kindness of Chinese friends deeply touch me, and all I can do is give my all in every game to express my gratitude,” wrote James, who has visited China 15 times and is about to start a record-breaking 23rd season in the NBA. “I hope I can contribute to the development of Chinese basketball.”
The People’s Daily publishing James’ tribute could also signal the Chinese leadership's wish for U.S. cultural icons to help promote people-to-people exchanges at a time when bilateral relations are strained on various fronts.
34 comments
Run that by me again big dawg?
LeJournalist
> an unusual move suggesting the NBA’s years-long row with Beijing could be coming to an end.
I’m really not sure why that would or should matter for LeBron’s personal brand.
Lebron’s Little Red Book.
This post is ringing the dinner bell for reddit’s greatest minds
Mao ZeBron.
> The People’s Daily publishing James’ tribute could also signal the Chinese leadership’s wish for U.S. cultural icons to help promote people-to-people exchanges at a time when bilateral relations are strained on various fronts.
What????
Chinese people buy shoes too lol
Edit: gang, I know the shoes are often made there too, but the reference is about buying shoes.
LeMao
[deleted]
LeNotHongKong
Bro literally got ready and learned Chinese
Jesus this bait on another level. You want people to be upset because he gave a general quote we’ve heard a 100 times because the paper was positive about China?
LeCulturalRevolution
I think he’s going to get a big contract offer from China after his NBA career is done. He’s going to casually drop 30-point triple-doubles in the CBA like Ronaldo does hat tricks in the Saudi league.
Very xenophobic in here
LeMao
Daryl Morey was harmed by this article not only financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually.
wake me up when lebron tweets “free palestine”
Not a LeBron stan but like wtf dude. This is a non story.
Plenty of nba players visit China every year. Harden does. Ant was just there a few weeks ago. But when LeBron does it he’s lemao
30 minutes and still not locked? Mods must be at the buffet
Adam Silver to Billionaire ‘Bron: So…look…we uh…we need a distraction from this whole Clippers/Kawhi thing…
Well he did cave to China lol
Can’t wait for Daryl Morey’s response in the Taipei Times.
The average Chinese NBA fan is exponentially less toxic to NBA players than the average American NBA fan
The Great Dunk Forward.
Cool
I really hope one day, once both these countries get their acts together, the United States and China can become allies
World needs that to happen eventually
I could see why people were getting mad about that in the past, but I’m not sure the US has any moral high ground left
“Ooo Chinese friends”
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
Fuck this scumbag becoming a billionaire off the slave labour of Chinese children.
LeMao 4 real
Did anyone read what he actually said? How is that generic appreciation post to fans considered controversial?
The anti China hysteria amongst NBA fans was always weird. All of a sudden normie NBA fans are repeating State Department talking points about the Uyghurs. Then asking Lebron to divest from chinese investments.