Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, wrapping up his Forever King Tour in China, wrote an essay in the Communist Party's People's Daily on Monday, expressing appreciation of the people.
The trip coincided with his 20th anniversary of touring Asia with Nike.
James' opinion was six years after Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey hurt relations between Chinese and the NBA. Morey posted on Oct. 4, 2019, on Twitter -- "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong" -- leading to China pulling the NBA off its broadcasts and suspending sponsorship agreements.
China ended its one-year ban of NBA games during the NBA Finals from Sept. 20 to Oct. 11, 2020, which were later than June because of the pandemic. People in China couldn't watch NBA games for two years.
James' essay tone, titled "Basketball Is a Bridge That Connects Us All," was much different than what was expressed by Morey, who stepped down as general manager in October 2020.
