Amid the tenuous circumstances that surround the NBA’s presence in China this week, a prominent banner featuring LeBron James and Kyrie Irving promoting the matchup between the two superstars has been taken down as of early Thursday morning in Shanghai. According to Howard Chen of ESPN, the image of LeBron and Kyrie was the latest in a collection of promotional banners that were removed throughout the city in advance of the preseason games between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.
Over the last 24 hours, Chen has documented on Twitter the removal of other banners and NBA-related promotional materials throughout Shanghai. But the removal of this latest sign is significant when you consider how close we are to approaching a potential tip-off between the two teams, as well as the fact that it featured the face of the NBA in LeBron James.
Despite these advertisements being taken down, promotional events being canceled and media availability being postponed, the latest reports still indicate that this game will be played. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic as of 7:36 p.m. ET on Wednesday, “All indications are that the Lakers/Nets game in China on Thursday will go on as scheduled.”
