Yao Ming could be the man to mend fences between NBA, China

Yao Ming could be the man in the middle if the NBA and China are going to mend fences. The former Houston Rockets great, a Basketball Hall of Famer, is head of the Chinese Basketball Association. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wants to talk to him — soon. “I’m hoping together that Yao Ming and I can find accommodation,” Silver said.

Silver spoke Tuesday in Tokyo beforean exhibition between the Rockets and Raptors and defended the right of Rockets GM Daryl Morey to tweet last week in support of anti-government protests in Hong Kong. “We are not apologizing for Daryl exercising his freedom of expression,” Silver said. “I regret that so many people (in China) are upset, including millions and millions of our fans.” Silver said his office had talked with Yao and suggested the two might meet when he travels today to Shanghai.

The Lakers and Nets play exhibitions Thursday in Shanghai and Saturday in Shenzhen, which neighbors Hong Kong. China state broadcaster CCTV has said it won’t air the games.“There’s no question that Daryl’s tweet has hit what I would describe as a third-rail issue in China,” Silver said. “I’m not quite sure (Yao) accepts how we are operating our business right now.” The CBA, a government-directed body, suspended its relationship with the Rockets in response to Morey’s tweet.

Silver said he and Yao “have been close friends since the joined the league” and talked of finding “mutual respect for each other’s political systems and beliefs,” but “I’m a realist as well and I recognize that this issue may not die down so quickly.”