NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Says There Is “No Doubt” That Kyrie Irving Is Not Antisemitic
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says there is no doubt in his mind that Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving is not antisemitic. Silver met with Irving this week after the 30-year-old veteran was suspended four-games by the Nets for allegedly retweeting “Hebrew to Negroes: Wake Up Black America!”. The film contained substantial amounts of antisemitic material.
When interviewed by the New York Times, Silver said he left the meeting reassured that Irving does not hold any antisemitic views. The commissioner was initially very critical of Irving’s actions, calling his decision to retweet the movie “reckless” and questioned the player for not immediately disavowing antisemitic views when he had the opportunity.
“He’s someone I’ve known for a decade, and I’ve never heard an antisemitic word from him or, frankly, hate directed at any group,” said the commissioner.
Irving’s suspension comes with six tasks that are required to be completed before he can be permitted to rejoin team activities, such as apologizing or condemning the movie he promoted on social media, and donating $500,000 to anti-hate causes and completing sensitivity training.
Additionally, the player must also complete antisemitic training, meet with the Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish leaders and meet with owner Joe Tsai to demonstrate a better understanding of the topic. The next time he can return to the court if he completes the six tasks will be on November 13th against the Los Angeles Lakers. The point guard ultimately apologized, and Silver said both the NBA and the Nets handled the situation correctly despite acting late.
Fellow players around the league do not share the commissioner’s sentiments. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics both do not agree with the decision to suspend Irving. Additionally, the players have expressed their disagreements with the imposed terms of Kyrie’s return to the team. They have called the discipline excessive.
TMZ has more HERE.
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