understatement. >> we want to warn people it's not realistic to earn a large amount of money from china while hurting the feelings of the chinese people. >> reporter: chinese state tv demanded an apology but what happened next many fans say was an air ball by the nba. the league, which has stoods u for free speech by its players backed down saying his views have offended many of our friends and fans in china which is regrettable. the rockets star owner and players distanced themselves from their own general manager. >> we apologized. we love china. we love playing there. >> reporter: even daryl himself whose original tweet said he didn't intend to offend anyone in china saying i've had a lot of opportunity since the tweet to hear and consider other perspectives. >> the nba has lead the way in progressive thought, in ideology and speak your mind and doing