National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar LeBron James wrote an op-ed in a Chinese newspaper, expressing his adulation over the friends he has made there and how the sport of basketball connects countless people around the world.

Why It Matters

James, a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and one of the most decorated athletes in history, will soon begin his 23rd NBA season. In two-plus decades in the NBA, he has visited China 15 times and expressed positive memories and connections he forged.

The NBA's all-time leading scorer has received criticism in the past for his views and statements regarding the Chinese Communist Party and remaining silent on certain issues. In 2019, following ex-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey's post on X that supported a Hong Kong free from Chinese communism, James said Morey "wasn't educated" on the situation with Hong Kong and China. It caused blowback from some who insinuated that James didn't want to take a moral stand and instead cared about the potential dollars lost from Chinese fans and subsidiaries.

About a year later, James and other NBA players were told by some fans and individuals on social media to "move to China" after they decided to boycott playoff games to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

A pro-Hong Kong activist holds a poster of LeBron James with the words "King of Chinese Money" before the Los Angeles Lakers season-opening game against the Los Angeles Clippers outside Staples Center on October 22,... A pro-Hong Kong activist holds a poster of LeBron James with the words "King of Chinese Money" before the Los Angeles Lakers season-opening game against the Los Angeles Clippers outside Staples Center on October 22, 2019, in Los Angeles. More Mario Tama/Getty Images What To Know

James' op-ed, titled Basketball Is a Bridge That Connects Us All, was published in Monday's edition of the People's Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper. The following is a Chinese-to-English translation of some of James' words.

"I am deeply moved by the passion and friendliness of my Chinese friends, and I can only express my gratitude by giving my best in every game," James wrote. "Soon, I will be starting the 23rd season of my professional carrier in the NBA. I've worn the No. 23 for most of my career. It's a number that means a lot to me. Ahead of this special season, I am once again in China to start my next chapter with the fans here."

He noted how it's the 15th time in his career that he's traveled to China, saying that every visit was received with a "warm welcome" and that he has been "deeply moved by the passion and friendliness of my Chinese friends, and I can only express my gratitude by giving my best in every game."

The four-time NBA champion discussed the responsibility "of promoting exchanges" through the sport of basketball and using it to connect people across different nations and cultures, harkening back to a time he met a female Chinese college basketball player and wanting to inspire the next generation of children.

"The atmosphere of basketball in China has always been surprising," he said. "There are many famous basketball players and many outstanding young players have emerged. In Chengdu, Sichuan, I joined in a training session with the Chinese national youth team. I shared my experience with them: Take every training session seriously. The harder you practice, the more relaxed you will be in the game.

"Many young people ask me how to play basketball well. I think there are three key factors—determination, dedication and passion. If you love basketball, be determined and put your heart and soul into it. You will definitely be rewarded."

What People Are Saying

Michael Sobolik, senior fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute think tank, on X: ".@KingJames published an oped in...*checks notes* The People's Daily. Same guy who scolded Daryl Morey in 2019 for speaking out against the CCP's crackdown in Hong Kong—because it threatened the NBA's monetary interests in China. And of course Lebron hasn't said a word about the Uyghurs, Tibetans, or other persecuted groups in China. Gross."

What Happens Next

The NBA regular season is scheduled to begin on October 21.