Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is clashing with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) over their views on kneeling for the National Anthem.
The Texas senator took to Twitter criticizing Cuban’s dismissal of Dallas radio personality Mark Davis who expressed disapproval of NBA players possibly kneeling in protest during the National Anthem.
Davis tweeted, “I am so ready to be in on this year’s [Mavericks] home stretch: so much promise, so much personality. But the minute one player kneels during the anthem, I am OUT. Surely [Mark Cuban] can lead the way for [Mavericks],[NBA] to do whatever gesture they wish without insulting the nation.
To which, Cuban simply told Davis, “Bye.”
https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1285028393076097029
https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1285032212782604289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1285032212782604289%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediaite.com%2Fsports%2Fhave-some-balls-for-once-mark-cuban-and-ted-cruz-throw-down-over-nba-ties-to-china%2F
Cruz suggested that Cuban’s tweet to Davis was also a form of dismissal for “everyone” who stands for the American flag and respects law enforcement and U.S. veterans.
Cruz tweeted, “Really??!? NBA is telling everyone who stands for the flag, who honors our cops and our veterans, to “piss off”? In Texas, no less? Good luck with that.”
Really??!?
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
NBA is telling everyone who stands for the flag, who honors our cops and our veterans, to “piss off”? In Texas, no less?
Good luck with that. pic.twitter.com/AVWLMZIqu0
Cuban quickly fired back demanding that Cruz address him directly.
“Have some balls for once [Ted Cruz]. Speak to me. It’s my tweet,” Cuban tweeted, to which Cruz replied, “Speaking of balls, tell us what you think about China. I’ll wait.”
Have some balls for once @tedcruz. Speak to me. It's my tweet. https://t.co/QGza2qWoRR
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
Speaking of balls, tell us what you think about China.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
I’ll wait. https://t.co/s68JYk9MLR
Cuban responded, “If you think I won’t criticize China and what they do as it concerns American Citizens watch this “Mark Cuban on China” and this movie [The China Hustle] But I have never gotten involved in the domestic policies of ANY foreign country. We have too much to do here.”
If you think I wont criticize China and what they do as it concerns American Citizens watch this https://t.co/RXEJxjMeO8 and this movie https://t.co/U5NnAwTFbQ. But I have never gotten involved in the domestic policies of ANY foreign country. We have too much to do here. And..
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
Cuban also lambasted Cruz for speaking out against NBA players’ silent protest while refusing to confront President Donald Trump on issues he disagrees with.
“Why is it, [Ted Cruz], that you take such pride in standing up to and speaking truth to the Chinese, but you have no ability to stand up to and speak the truth to [Donald Trump]?” Cuban tweeted.
The NBA franchise owner also went on to discuss Black Lives Matter, the existence of systemic racism, and how the pandemic has she light on racial disparity.
I can say Black Lives Matter. I can say there is systemic racism in this country. I can say there is a Pandemic that you have done little to end. I can say I care about this country first and last and.. https://t.co/URFs41XloY
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
Cruz has yet to respond to Cuban’s latest remarks, as of publication. However, this is not Cuban’s first time expressing concern about the pandemic and the issues plaguing Americans.
Over the last several weeks, Cuban officially announced his endorsement of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden for the upcoming general election.
