The People’s Republic of China is a huge market. But so is are the Ummah of Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran, Qatar, etc…

Behold the incredible courage of the Portland Trail Blazers.

McCollum signed a 5-year contract with the longtime Chinese athletic brand in 2017. Since signing, McCollum has made annual trips to China in the offseason, and he said he’s enjoyed connecting with NBA fans in that country.

“I’m in a great situation with my partnership with Li-Ning. I’m grateful for the opportunity to go to China each summer and bond with the fans and the support they’ve shown me,” McCollum said after Monday’s preseason game. “The way I’ve been able to strategically build my brand there, I’m thankful for that.”

On Monday, McCollum said he’s hopeful the rift can heal.

“I think that based on what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard, we’re heading in the right direction,” he said Monday. “It’s unfortunate that things have gotten to this point, but hopefully we can get through it.”

Bow to China. Boycott Israel.

It is a free country. After all.

The Portland Trail Blazers announced that they have severed relations with a company that does business with Israel following a pressure campaign by activists tied to the anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.

As the NBA is facing outrage after the general manager of the Houston Rockets capitulated to censorship by the Chinese communist government, the Trail Blazers quietly severed ties with the manufacturer Leupold, which has a contract to produce accessories for the Israeli Defense Forces.

Now do China.