Steve Kerr responds to recent Trump comments as the China-NBA rift continues to grow

It’s not everyday that retired multiple time NBA champion turned multiple time NBA champion Head Coach Steve Kerr is trending on every social media platform, but Tuesday proved to be that day. After Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted his support for the pro-democracy protests taking place in Hong Kong, the NBA found itself in a somewhat international crisis.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who has been praised for encouraging league activism, found himself receiving criticism from all sides of the aisle-- whether it be left, right, abroad or domestic. The league’s commissioner did not reprimand Morey, but did issue what most-- if not all-- fans and critics perceived as an apology. Following Silver’s words, were apologies from Morey and a statement from Rocket’s superstar James Harden.

“We love China,” Harden said, trying to smooth the situation over.

Unfortunately, the situation did not smooth over. Tencent, the NBA's exclusive digital partner in China, said Tuesday that it would no longer live-stream pre-season games in the country after a similar move by CCTV, China's top state broadcaster. Shanghai Pudong Development Bank and Chinese sportswear giant Li Ning also said over the weekend that they would discontinue partnerships with the team.

Even though the situation stemmed from one organization, it has spread across the league-- affecting many different players and coaches alike. Insert Steve Kerr.

The Warriors head coach is known for his candid talk about politics, especially his disdain with the current administration. Naturally, the media asked Kerr about his thoughts on the situation, but to just about everyone’s surprise, Kerr did not have a comment on the situation-- literally.

“It’s a really bizarre international story. A lot of us don’t know what to make of it. It’s something I’m reading about like everybody is, but I’m not gonna comment further.”

A bit shocking, but nothing major. The comment, or lack thereof, became major when the President of the United States decided to take the time out of his seemingly busy schedule to mock Kerr over his lack luster for the situation.

“I watched this guy Steve Kerr, and he was like a little boy,” President Trump said. “He was so scared to be even answering the question. He couldn’t answer the question. He was shaking. ‘Oh, oh, I don’t know. I don’t know.’ He didn’t know how to answer the question. And yet he’ll talk about the United States very badly. I watched Popovich sort of the same thing, but he didn’t look quite as scared, actually. But they talk badly about the United States. But when it talks about China, they don’t want to say anything bad. I thought it was pretty sad, actually.”

"I gotta welcome Steve to the club," Curry joked following Wednesday's practice. "That's kind of par for the course there."

Curry is no stranger to being singled out by the leader of the free world, after the President took to Twitter to blast Curry for not wanting to visit the White House in 2017. Curry went on to explain his view on the situation, echoing Kerr’s earlier comment.

"I think with this one, it's a league wide situation and our presence in China, it's just a different conversation," Curry added. "Coach talks about gun violence and gender equality and things that for us as being spokespeople for people who can't speak for themselves and our communities that make a huge impact. This situation has a huge weight and gravity to it and there are some things that need to be sorted out but I just don't know about Chinese history and how that's influenced modern society and that interaction to speak on it. I'm not dodging the question. I've had a lot of stuff going on in my personal life so I need to sit down. Something this big that involves the entire landscape of the league and of course with a country like China, like that's something you're not walking into lightheartedly saying stuff off the cuff."

Thursday night was Kerr’s first media appearance since Trump’s comment.

During the press conference, Kerr spoke of his first trip to the White House in 1984. The trip happened six months after his father was shot and killed in a terrorist attack in Beirut. Kerr and his mother were invited by President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George Bush to the Oval Office, where they honored his father’s service.

“Thanking us for my dad’s commitment to trying to share American values in the Middle East," Kerr said. “Trying to promote peace in the Middle East. And all I can think of last night is the contrast in what has happened in 35 years. The office held such dignity and respect both from the people who were visiting and especially from the people who sat inside it, and it’s just sad that it’s come crashing down.”

Steve Kerr said he was surprised when he learned he was the newest target of President Donald Trump, who criticized his comments on the NBA’s current controversy with the Chinese government.

“You stop and you think ‘Well, this is every day,’” the Warriors coach said before Thursday night’s preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. “I was just the shiny object, and there’s another one today, and there’ll be another one tomorrow, and the circus will just go on.”

“What’s going on in our country, I’m very comfortable talking about what’s going on in our country. I’m a citizen of this country,” Kerr said. “It’s hard for me to make a comment about something that impacts so many people, different countries, different governments and not really feeling comfortable being in the midst of it, I think it makes more sense to lay low. And be a scared little boy."

If Kerr is unwilling to make a comment on Hong Kong because he isn’t well-versed in the situation, then kudos to him. Uninformed comments only cause more problems-- especially when they come from someone with a real platform.

It would be rather disheartening if he isn’t willing to comment because of the financial implications China holds with the NBA. Granted attacking the Chinese government affects more than just the financial ties the league has, but also the millions of Chinese fans the league has generated as well as some players’ endorsements.

One of the more underrated questions that has arisen from this saga, is the future of China Klay. The sharp shooter dazzled fans over social media for the past three years with his trips to China that featured missed dunks, hilarious karaoke, and quirky interviews that turned Klay Thompson into the national treasure he really is.

With different Chinese businesses suspending their negotiations with all things NBA, Klay Thompson, among other players, may take a hit.

The Chinese shoe company Anta Sports said it will suspend contract renewal negotiations with the NBA, according to multiple reports. Although Thompson’s current contract with Anta is good until 2026, the question still must be asked, will Klay be invited to China for his annual China Tour in the summer to promote the company he’s sponsored to?

The company said it "opposes any action that harms China's interests," per Reuters. Anta reportedly was "dissatisfied" with comments from Morey and league officials.

Anta is operated in Jinjiang, China, and the company has contracts with a slate of NBA players. Warriors guard Klay Thompson is an Anta athlete as well as his teammates Kevon Looney and Jacob Evans III. Other notable players singed to the brand are Lakers guard Rajon Rondo and the Celtics forward Gordon Hayward. Anta is also a sponsor of boxer Manny Pacquiao.

The real loss in this saga may be the social media presence of China Klay, but if Morey’s tweets create the needed dialogue and attention to the situation in Hong then the saga can’t be too bad.