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Kevin Durant has become the latest to speak out on Kyrie Irving, saying his teammate and team Brooklyn Nets ‘could have just kept quiet’ given media-led ‘chaos’.
Irving finally issued an apology Thursday night for linking to an anti-Semitic film on social media last week.
The remorse came after the Nets suspended him for at least five games and the Anti-Defamation League rejected his $500,000 donation. The Nets have now told him to meet with Jewish leaders before returning from ban.
Irving sparked outrage by tweeting a link to the Amazon page for the 2018 film ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.’ The movie is based on a 2015 book by the same name, which Rolling Stone described as ‘venomously anti-Semitic.’
Since posting the Amazon link to the film on Twitter, Irving has rowed with media, telling reporters ‘I’m not going to stand down on anything that I believe in.’ He did delete the post on Sunday without an explanation.
Kevin Durant (L) has spoken about the role of the media in relation to Kyrie Irving controversy
Durant moved to clarify his comments on social media following his discussion with the media
Following days of competing statements from Irving, the Nets, team owner Joe Tsai, and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, the club suspended the All-Star for a minimum of five games on Thursday.
The Anti-Defamation league also declined a proposed $500,000 donation from Irving, saying he ‘feels no accountability for his actions.’
And now Irving’s teammate Durant has given his take on the saga, expressing frustration with the situation.
‘I’m not here to judge somebody or talk down on the life or how they feel their views,’ he told reporters Friday.
‘I just didn’t like anything that went on. I felt like it was all unnecessary. I felt like we could have just kept playing basketball and kept quiet as an organization.
Irving sparked controversy for publicizing the 2018 film ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America’ on social media with a link to its Amazon page
‘This is the way the NBA is now, media, so many outlets now and their stories hit pretty fast now,” he said. “So that’s where all the chaos is coming from. Everybody has an opinion on the situation, and we’re hearing it nonstop.’
He then clarified his comments on Twitter, following some backlash among fans who found his quote lacking, posting: ‘Just wanna clarify the statements I made at shootaround, I see some people are confused.. I don’t condone hate speech or anti-semetism, I’m about spreading love always. Our game Unites people and I wanna make sure that’s at the forefront [sic].’
Irving finally apologized late Thursday night for linking to the film on Twitter. In an Instagram statement, Irving said: ‘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.
‘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 finally issued apology Thursday night for linking to an anti-Semitic film on social media
‘I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all. I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I Am.’
Nets general manager Sean Marks said Irving’s apology was a ‘step in the right direction’ Friday.
KYRIE IRVING’S TWEET SPARKS INTEREST IN ‘ANTI-SEMITIC’ FILM
Although Irving has denied promoting the film, ‘Hebrews to Negroes’ has skyrocketed in popularity since last week’s Twitter post. The documentary is currently Amazon’s top seller in Ethnic Studies, and alternate versions or sequels held six of the next 10 spots on that list as of Friday, according to Front Office Sports.
The Brooklyn Nets star caught the attention for publicizing the 2018 film ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America’ on social media with a link to its Amazon page
The New Zealander stressed that he hopes to see Irving meet with Jewish leaders before he can return. Marks also said he has not considered releasing Irving.
The Nets released an angry and frustrated statement earlier on Thursday night, saying the decision to suspend Irving stemmed from his ongoing lack of apology, the latest of refusal coming after a disastrous media appearance on Thursday.
‘We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct and the suspension period served is no less than five games,’ the Nets statement read in part.
‘We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no anti-Semitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity – but failed – to clarify.
‘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.’
Although Irving has denied promoting the film, ‘Hebrews to Negroes’ has skyrocketed in popularity since last week’s Twitter post. The film is currently Amazon’s top seller in Ethnic Studies, and alternate versions or sequels currently hold six of the next 10 spots on that list, according to Front Office Sports.
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