The Houston Rockets released a video of their players wishing China a “Happy New Year” in both English and Chinese.
“To all our Chinese fans, we appreciate your love and support,” NBA superstar Russell Westbrook said in the video released by the basketball franchise on Friday. Superstar James Harden repeated the same phrase before speaking in Chinese.
#新年快乐 | Happy #ChineseNewYear! pic.twitter.com/olXwudUDAr
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 24, 2020
The video follows the Houston Rockets’ fallout with the authoritarian government. Once the most popular team in China, the Rockets came under fire from the country after general manager Daryl Morey voiced his support in a tweet for protesters in Hong Kong.
China responded by canceling NBA games and yanking Rockets merchandise from Chinese stores. The country said it was suspending cooperation with the Rockets.
The NBA also came under fire after it apologized to the “deeply offended” Chinese people. The Wall Street Journal reported in December that Chinese fans of the Rockets who still followed the franchise needed to keep it “low key.”
