Curry mum on China crisis

This situation has a huge weight and gravity to it.

STEPHEN Curry refuses to comment on the China-NBA dispute. AFP

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is taking a wait-and-see attitude about the NBA’s future with China while Charles Barkley is ripping NBA critics and more Hong Kong supporters protest at NBA pre-season games.

A tweet supporting Hong Kong democracy protesters a week ago by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey prompted China to suspend sponsor deals with the club and cancel plans to televise two NBA pre-season games nationwide.

Issues of free speech and fears of compromising it in exchange for access to 1.4 billion Chinese consumers and lucrative sponsorship deals, have taken center stage.

Curry, who makes regular trips to China for business deals, sees the issues not only about growing the league and sport but also about the impact on people in China and elsewhere.

“It’s an interesting situation because there’s so much history involved in it. I don’t know that history well enough to speak on it or form an opinion yet. I’m staying tuned like everybody else,” Curry said.

“Something this big, that involves the entire landscape of the league, the importance of a country like China, that’s something you’re not just walking into lightheartedly saying stuff off the cuff.”

“This situation has a huge weight and gravity to it.”

Curry said it was important to study and learn details from all perspectives to make informed opinions.