National Basketball Association

Bobby Brown action not a good look for Houston Rockets

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

n Rockets training camp invite Bobby Brown is with the team in China vying to make the roster. Brown’s thoughtless act may have sealed his fate.

Maybe Houston Rockets training camp invite Bobby Brown has more in common with the singer Bobby Brown than any of us knew.

Arguably China’s main attraction is The Great Wall. Tourists who visit the wall are aware of the history. Some historians say the wall is over 2,000 years old and others say 500 years. But, they all agree it was built to connect various cities and towns together and used to protect from invaders. Regardless of which historic facts you chose to trust in it’s obvious the wall is an important piece of China’s history.

Sep 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Bobby Brown (8) during media day at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Additionally, the Chinese are known for respecting their history and culture. Given this fact the last thing as a tourist or someone representing a group should do is disrespect the Chinese via vandalism. Yet, that in fact is what Bobby Brown did by writing on The Great Wall of China. Yes, it was chalk, but it’s the action and the subsequent bragging about it.

What Brown did:

To wit, Brown posted a shot of his signature on media outlet Weibo saying “Had a blast at the Great Wall of China today“.

Shortly after (amid social media outrage) Brown apologized:

“We were out enjoying the Great Wall,” he said. “I never (had) been, it was my first time. I wrote my name on the wall in chalk. I saw different writings — I didn’t mean any harm by it. I made a mistake. I could have just put my hand over it and erased it. It will never happen again. I’ve been playing in China for three years now and I have the utmost respect for the Chinese culture, and the way of living here. I pretty much adapted, coming from the States, here for three years. My teammates, the fans in Shenzhen and the fans all over were great to me, and I just want to sincerely apologize for that.”

I mean seriously Bobby!

While the chalk could be removed and Brown isn’t the first to commit such an act I’ll point to the old adage of “just because your friends (insert some dumb action) would you?”

Given the chalk can be erased Brown could be cut more slack if the action was based solely on naivety. But, Brown’s apology buries him via his ignorance. Brown lived and played in China for 3 years. This means he’s well aware of China’s customs and how seriously they take their heritage.

Why Rockets should release him:

It wasn’t a good look for Brown, and it reflects badly on the franchise. Further, former Rocket Yao Ming is recognized as a gentleman who respects Houston and North America.

Bottom line, Brown should have known better. Despite his relationship with James Harden this action should be enough for Houston to want to distance themselves from him permanently.

Houston should release Brown by borrowing singer Bobby Brown’s most recognized lyric and simply tell him “It’s my prerogative!”

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Houston Rockets return to action back in the States this Saturday at the Memphis Grizzlies.