NETS’ IRVING SUSPENDED
The Brooklyn Nets suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five games without pay Thursday, dismayed by his repeated failure to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.”
Hours after Irving refused to issue the apology that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver sought for posting a link to an antisemitic work on his Twitter feed, the Nets said 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.”
Irving did apologize later in an Instagram post for not explaining the specific beliefs he agreed and disagreed with when he posted the documentary. “To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize,” Irving wrote. “I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.”
Irving’s earlier reluctance to apologize came hours before the FBI said it had received credible information about a “broad” threat to synagogues in New Jersey, Irving’s home state.
The Nets said they 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 interview after practice earlier Thursday that little had changed.
Irving would say only that he meant no harm. He said some things in “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America” were untrue, but didn’t say he regretted posting a link to it.
“I’m not the one who made the documentary,” Irving said.
He was later asked if he had antisemitic beliefs, and he responded: “I cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from.”
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt reacted to a video of Irving’s response to that question on Twitter by writing: “The answer to the question ‘Do you have any antisemitic beliefs’ is always ‘NO’ without equivocation.
“We took (at)KyrieIrving at his word when he said he took responsibility, but today he did not make good on that promise,” Greenblatt added. “Kyrie clearly has a lot of work to do.”
A day earlier, Irving and the Nets had announced, in conjunction with the ADL, that each would be donating $500,000 to anti-hate causes. Greenblatt tweeted Thursday night that his organization could not in good conscience accept the donation.
Silver felt Irving needed to go further, anyway.
“I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize,” the commissioner said prior to Irving’s Instagram post.
Silver added that he will be meeting with Irving in person within the next week.
Harden out a month James Harden
is expected to miss about a month because of a right foot tendon strain.
Harden was injured during the Sixers’ loss at Washington on Wednesday and the team said the 10-time All-Star will be evaluated again in two weeks.
The 33-year-old Harden averaged 22 points and 10 assists in the first nine games of the season.
Thursday's games Magic 130, Warriors 129:
Jalen Suggs scored nine of his 26 points in the final two minutes, and host Orlando rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half to beat Golden State, handing the defending NBA champion Warriors their fourth straight loss. Stephen Curry had 39 points and nine assists for the Warriors.
Nuggets 122, Thunder 110: Aaron Gordon scored 27 points, Nikola Jokic had a triple-double, and visiting Denver beat Oklahoma City. Jokic had 15 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists for his third triple-double this season and the 79th of his career. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points for OKC.
Wednesday's late games
Heat 110, Kings 107: Tyler Herro’s 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left became the game winner for Miami.
Grizzlies 111, Trail Blazers 106: Desmond Bane scored 29 points and visiting Memphis held off a late rally.