Fertitta Says Rockets Aren't Political After Daryl Morey Tweets About Hong Kong

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta said the NBA organization doesn't hold political views after general manager Daryl Morey posted an image of support for protesters in Hong Kong.

"Listen...[Morey] does NOT speak for the Houston Rockets," Fertitta wrote on Twitter. "Our presence in Tokyo is all about the promotion of the NBA internationally and we are NOT a political organization."

Morey later deleted his social-media post.

Fertitta told ESPN's Tim MacMahon there were no problems on a personal level with the team's longtime GM and that his statement was just to provide clarification.

"I have the best general manager in the league," he said. "Everything is fine with Daryl and me. We got a huge backlash, and I wanted to make clear that [the organization] has no [political] position. We're here to play basketball and not to offend anybody."

CNN gave an overview of the Hong Kong protests:

"It all started in June when millions came out to oppose a controversial bill that would have allowed extradition from Hong Kong to China. Carrie Lam, the city's leader, has shelved the bill, but the protests have morphed into something bigger. Some are now calling for Lam to step down, greater democracy and an inquiry into alleged policy brutality.

"As the demonstrations have dragged on, protesters have embraced more extreme, sometimes violent, tactics. And police have done the same."

The Rockets have traveled to Asia for a pair of preseason games against the Toronto Raptors at Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Tuesday and Thursday.

Fertitta, whom Forbes estimates has a net worth of $4.8 billion, purchased the team in October 2017.