The NBA has responded to recent claims made by former eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard, asserting that his statements regarding a 2014 incident involving a controversial tweet are inaccurate.
Howard appeared on “The GAUDs Show” this week, where he revisited a tweet he posted in July 2014 that read “Free Palestine.” During the episode, Howard alleged that the NBA pressured him to delete the tweet, even claiming that he received a direct call from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver instructing him to take it down.
“When you’re in the NBA, there are a lot of things you want to say, but if you say them, there will be repercussions,” Howard said, according to HoopsHype. “For example, a couple years ago when I played for the Houston Rockets, I tweeted ‘Free Palestine,’ and I almost got kicked out of the league for it. I was just trying to figure out why. Before that, I had spoken with some Palestinians who told me about the struggles in their country.”
Howard elaborated, “Less than 10 minutes after I tweeted, I got a call from the NBA commissioner, agents, people in my foundation, and even folks from Texas, telling me to take it down. They said, ‘You’re going to get into trouble. You need to delete this tweet.’ I was like, ‘What did I do that was so bad? Can somebody explain this to me?’”
The tweet in question was ultimately deleted, with Howard later calling it “a mistake.” At the time, he had just completed his first season with the Houston Rockets, and Silver was in the early months of his tenure as NBA commissioner, having taken over the role in February 2014.
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On Wednesday, the NBA categorically denied Howard’s account. In a statement to Sportico, league spokesperson Mike Bass declared Howard’s claims “categorically false” and specifically refuted the assertion that Silver contacted Howard about the post.
Howard’s comments have reignited discussions about the NBA’s handling of players’ expressions on geopolitical issues. The league has faced scrutiny over its stance on global controversies, particularly its relationship with China, which has drawn criticism in recent years. However, in this instance, the NBA has been firm in denying Howard’s narrative, maintaining that no direct action was taken to stifle his “Free Palestine” tweet.
The controversy sheds light on the complex dynamics between professional athletes and the broader expectations placed upon them in the realm of political expression.
While Howard’s podcast comments have sparked renewed debate, the NBA remains steadfast in rejecting his version of events.
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