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SPORTS Monday 14 october 2019

Rockets focused on basketball after fallout from GM's tweet

By KRISTIE RIEKEN go on in life, and whatever,
AP Sports Writer this is still our job, so we still
HOUSTON (AP) — The Rock- come in and do our job ev-
ets are back home in Hous- ery single day."
ton, looking to leave be- The Rockets were in Hawaii
hind the distractions from on Oct. 4 to play a pre-
their trip to Asia. season game against the
Their two games in Japan Los Angeles Clippers on the
were overshadowed by first leg of a trip that includ-
the aftermath of a tweet ed two games in Japan
by general manager Daryl when Morey tweeted an
Morey in support for anti- image that said: "Fight For
government protesters in Freedom. Stand With Hong
Hong Kong, angering fans Kong." His tweet was in ref-
and officials in China. erence to pro-democracy
In their first practice since demonstrations in the semi-
returning, the Rockets in- autonomous Chinese ter-
sisted they wouldn't let the ritory that has been mired
fallout distract them from in escalating violence be-
preparing from the season. tween protesters and law
"Guys can handle it," coach enforcement.
Mike D'Antoni said. "We still The tweet was deleted
got good work in. Every- soon after it was posted,
thing's fine, but you know and Rockets owner and bil- Houston Rockets' James Harden, left, and Russell Westbrook share a light moment during warmups
what happened (is) regret- lionaire casino and restau- for the team's NBA preseason basketball game against the Toronto Raptors Thursday, Oct. 10,
table, and it happened, rant owner Tilman Fertitta 2019, in Saitama, near Tokyo.
but as I said, our work will quickly rebuked his GM Associated Press
get done." with a tweet saying that protesters and as president The tweet also caused players can do," he said.
Veteran P.J. Tucker denied Morey does not speak for of the Chinese Basketball some Chinese corporations "And then we'll let the NBA
that dealing with this situa- the team. He added: "Our Association, suspended its to suspend relationships and the Houston Rockets
tion has been a distraction presence in Tokyo is all ties to the Rockets over the with the NBA and it is un- sort things out."
to this team trying to con- about the promotion of the tweet. clear what can be done to Morey hasn't spoken pub-
tend for its first title since NBA internationally and we Events in China promot- mend the relationship. licly since the tweet, with
winning back-to-back are NOT a political organi- ing the Lakers-Nets series D'Antoni was asked if there his only comments on the
championships in 1994-95. zation." were canceled, NBA me- is anything the coaches issue coming in two more
"Not really, honestly," he Despite the swift response dia partner Tencent said it and players can do to help tweets on Oct. 6. In those
said. "This time of season, from Fertitta, the damage was evaluating its plans to repair things with China. tweets he did not apolo-
everybody's getting in was already done. Former cover the league, and Chi- "We've just got to keep gize for his initial tweet but
shape, getting ready for Rockets star Yao Ming took na state broadcaster CCTV playing and keep trying did say that his tweets "in
the season, focusing in. So offense to Morey's support did not air either preseason to be good ambassadors no way represent the Rock-
with all of the things that for the anti-government game. for the game, that's all the ets or the NBA."q

Usyk dominant in heavyweight debut,

wins by TKO

By PATRICK ROSE In his highly anticipated showed a strong chin,
Associated Press pro debut, Usyk (17-0) never going down, but his
CHICAGO (AP) — Olek- showed his dominance corner saw enough and
sandr Usyk did everything over Witherspoon in the stopped the fight after the
in his heavyweight de- third round, teeing off seventh round.
but with the exception with an array of jabs. Usyk Usyk had no regrets about
of knocking down Chazz landed a series of combi- not putting Witherspoon
Witherspoon. nations in the fourth. on the canvas. Oleksandr Usyk, right, fights with Chazz Witherspoon during a
Usyk dominated, earning Witherspoon spent most "I did what my trainer told heavyweight boxing bout Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Chicago.
a technical knockout win of the second half of the me to do. I just follow their Associated Press
over Witherspoon in the sixth round leaning on the orders and that was to would take that opportu- cruiserweight division, Usyk
seventh round on Satur- ropes as Usyk had his way. box. And I did box, but if nity," Usyk said. expects to jump into title
day night. Witherspoon (38-4) I had the opportunity, I After dominating the fight contention.q