Tiktukno: summary of today's events in sports, 4.11 (Sport1)
The Brooklyn Nets have suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five games without pay, with the team saying it was "appalled" to learn he refuses to "state unequivocally that he has no anti-Semitic beliefs."
Irving later issued an apology for his Instagram post last week, in which he promoted a book and film that present anti-Semitic theories against Jews.
Irving refused to apologize during a post-practice press conference earlier yesterday (Thursday), and the Nets said afterward that Irving is "currently ineligible to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets."
"We were horrified today, when he was given the opportunity in a meeting with the media, that Kyrie refused to say unequivocally that he does not have anti-Semitic beliefs, nor did he acknowledge the hateful material shown in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity - but failed - to clarify himself," it was reported Mahnets in an official statement.
"Such a failure to renounce anti-Semitism when he is given a clear opportunity to do so - it is very troubling, goes against the values of our organization and constitutes conduct harmful to the team. Therefore, we believe that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets."
After being suspended, Irving issued an apology, which many, including NBA commissioner Adam Silver, expected him to issue sooner.
Just getting more and more complicated.
Irving (Photo: GettyImages, Dustin Satloff)
In a post on Instagram, he wrote: "To all the Jewish families and communities who were hurt and are affected by my post, I am very sorry for causing you pain, and I apologize. At first I reacted out of emotion and unfairly labeled it (the film) anti-Semitism, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish brothers and sisters who were hurt by the comments The hatred expressed in the documentary. I want to clarify where I stand in the fight against anti-Semitism by apologizing ... I had no intentions of disparaging any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuating any hatred. I learn from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all."
The Nets said in announcing Irving's suspension that they had made multiple attempts in recent days to help Irving understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, but it was clear during the point guard's post-practice interview earlier Thursday that little had changed.
Irving again refused to apologize, saying only that he meant no harm.
He said that some things in the film "Black Americans: Awakening Black America" were not true, but he did not say that he should not have promoted it.
"I'm not the one who made the documentary," Irving said.
Later we were asked if he has anti-Semitic beliefs, and he neither vehemently denied nor rejected the claim, and only said: "I can't be anti-Semitic if I know where I come from."
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) executive director Jonathan Greenblatt responded to a video of Irving's response to this question on Twitter, writing: "The answer to the question 'Do you have anti-Semitic beliefs' is always an unequivocal 'no.'" The day before Irving announced and the Nets, in partnership with the ADL, who will each donate $500,000 to anti-hate causes. After the Nets announced Irving's suspension, Greenblatt tweeted: "We were optimistic but after watching the devastating press conference, it's clear Kyrie doesn't feel responsible for his actions.
The ADL cannot in good conscience accept his donation."
Commissioner Adam Silver also called for Irving to be held accountable earlier Thursday.
"While we appreciate that he has agreed to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination, I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology or condemned the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publish," the commissioner said in a statement released minutes before that Irving spoke.
Silver said in a statement that he will meet with Irving in person over the next week.
This is the second season in a row that the Nets have suspended Irving from the team.
Last year it was when he refused to get vaccinated against Corona, which prevented him from playing home games.
They eventually brought him back to play away games in December.
And he was able to make a full comeback in March, when New York City's vaccine restrictions on athletes were lifted.
Irving posted the link to the film (which has since been deleted) late last week, then defiantly defended his right to do so after the Nets' home loss to Indiana on Saturday.
The team asked him not to speak to reporters after their two games this week, hoping to avoid further upsetting fans, but time hasn't changed Irving's stance.
Yesterday he asked reporters why they don't ask questions about the history of blacks in America, saying that 300 million of his ancestors are buried in the country.
"Where and when did you ask the same questions when I was a kid learning about the traumatic events in my family history," Irving said, "I'm just proud of my heritage and what we went through. It put me against the Jewish community, and I'm here answering questions about whether or not I'm sorry for something that's not me I did and I didn't create and there was something that I just shared, and I tell everyone that I take responsibility."
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He expected resolute condemnation, and he did not receive it.
Silver (Photo: GettyImages, Tom Pennington)
Irving was also asked specifically about his beliefs regarding the Holocaust.
"These lies are unfortunate," Irving said, referring to the content of the film.
"And it's not that I don't believe in the Holocaust. I never said that. I never, never said that. It never came out of my mouth. I never tweeted it. The Holocaust is an event that has meaning for a large group of people who suffered from something It could have been avoided."
The Nets said Irving's suspension will continue "until he complies with a series of objective corrective measures that address the harmful impact of his behavior."
Irving will miss at least three road games in Washington, Charlotte and Dallas, a home game against New York and another road game at the Clippers.
The Nets are currently down 6:2, which led to the firing of coach Steve Nash.
The team refused to give Irving a contract extension this summer after he was unavailable for so much of last season.
Irving chose to exercise the option in his contract to complete one last season with the team.
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Kyrie Irving
Brooklyn Nets
Adam Silver