Block CNN presenter question about NBA confrontation with China

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(CNN) - CNN presenter Christina Macfarlane was quickly blocked by a Houston Rockets press officer while trying to ask a question about the NBA's ongoing confrontation with China.

Macfarlane attended a post-game press conference in Tokyo on Thursday with NBA stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook, but neither athlete could answer his question about whether they would feel comfortable talking about political and social issues in the future.

The league is currently facing a violent reaction from China after Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted his support for prodemocratic demonstrations in Hong Kong.

Since then, it has eliminated the publication, but all official Chinese NBA partners have now suspended ties with the league, which continues to deal with the consequences.

Harden, in particular, seemed happy to answer the question, but the official prevented him from off the screen, despite Macfarlane's follow-up question.

Later, a Houston Rockets public relations employee told CNN that the reason the players did not answer was because they had already answered the question several times.

Previously, Macfarlane was able to ask Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni if ​​he had a message for Chinese fans who might have been disappointed by the NBA over the dispute.

“It is a difficult situation, very difficult. Adam Silver speaks for the NBA, I work for the NBA, I go with Adam. Commissioner Silver will do the right thing. ”

Tim Frank, a senior vice president of the NBA, then called Macfarlane to personally apologize for what happened when he tried to ask Harden and Westbrook his question.

Press conference transcript

Macfarlane: The NBA has always been a league that prides itself that its players and coaches can talk openly about political and social issues. I just wonder after this week's events and the consequences we have seen, if they both feel something different about talking that way in the future.

Rockets official: Excuse me, we're just answering basketball questions.

Macfarlane: It's a legitimate question.

Rockets official : It is not.

Macfarlane: This is an event that happened this week during the NBA.

Rockets official : It has already been answered.

Macfarlane: This is a question that has not been answered. James?

NBA