After some serious backlash, the Brooklyn Nets have decided to suspend NBA star Kyrie Irving for at least five games, without pay, after he shared some anti-Semitic media on his social media accounts. The Nets were looking for him to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs,” and he never did it despite having numerous chances of doing so.
Irving had a chance to say it during a post-practice press conference on Thursday, but once again failed to do so. As a result, the Nets suspended him, saying that Irving is “currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.”
“We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify,” the Nets said in a statement.
“Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team. Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving & Brooklyn Nets Updates
This was something that should have been done right away. Irving has played in multiple games since this all began without facing any repercussions. The fact that Irving had as many chances as he did to issue a sincere apology and denounce anti-Semitism and he chose not to was disappointing and upsetting to many. His refusal to apologize, only saying that he meant no harm, was a bizarre way to go about it.
A few hours after the suspension was levied against him, Irving issued a lengthy apology on his Instagram account. This is something that NBA commissioner Adam Silver had hoped would happen sooner, but as soon as he faced any repercussions, he did what he needed to do to get back on the court as soon as possible.
Even in his apology, he says that there are parts of “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” that he should have outlined the things that he believes and doesn’t believe in better. While the apology will be appreciated by some, the fact it came only after he was suspended and lost money was certainly disheartening.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving & Brooklyn Nets Updates
While a step in the right direction, Irving will have to do more than just issue an apology on Instagram that everyone can agree came too late, to get back on the floor with the Nets.
According to general manager Sean Marks, the organization wants to see him take more steps, including meeting with Jewish leaders, before suiting up again. He also added that there was never any consideration given to releasing Irving from the team.
This is something that will be talked about for a while. The silence of his NBA peers was deafening and something that will assuredly receive a lot of attention as no one spoke up against what Irving did.
