Irving had refused to apologize during a post-practice media session earlier Thursday, and the Nets subsequently said Irving is “currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.” “We were disappointed today, when given the opportunity at a media briefing, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no anti-Semitic beliefs, nor to acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he has had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify,” the Nets said in a statement. “This failure to repudiate anti-Semitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply troubling, goes against the values of our organization and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team. We therefore believe that he is not currently fit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.” About four hours after the Nets announced his suspension, Irving issued an apology that many, including NBA commissioner Adam Silver, wanted earlier. In an Instagram post, Irving wrote: “To all the Jewish families and communities that were hurt and affected by my post, I am deeply sorry for causing you pain and I apologize. I initially reacted with emotion at being unfairly labeled as anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish brothers and sisters who were hurt by the hateful comments made in the Documentary. I want to clear up any confusion about where I stand on fighting anti-Semitism by apologizing for posting the documentary without context and a reasoned explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the Documentary that I agreed with and disagreed with. I had no intention of disrespecting any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuating any hatred. I learn from this unfortunate event and hope that we can all find understanding among ourselves.” Irving also wrote that the film “contained certain false anti-Semitic statements, narratives and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion, and I take full responsibility and accountability for my actions.” The Nets announced Irving’s suspension that they had made many efforts 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 they had changed. 2 Related Irving again refused to apologize, saying only that he meant no harm. He said some things in “Jews to Negroes: Awaken Black America” were untrue, but he didn’t say he shouldn’t post a link to it. “I’m not the one who made the documentary,” Irving said. He was later asked if he held anti-Semitic beliefs and he said no. “I can’t be anti-Semitic if I know where I come from,” Irving said. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt reacted to a video of Irving’s response to that question on Twitter, writing: “The answer to the question ‘Do you hold anti-Semitic beliefs’ is always ‘NO’ without a doubt. “We took @KyrieIrving at his word when he said he took responsibility, but today he didn’t follow through 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 they would each donate $500,000 to anti-hate causes. After the Nets announced Irving’s suspension, Greenblatt tweeted: “We were hopeful, but after watching the debacle of a press conference, it’s clear Kyrie feels no responsibility for his actions. The @ADL cannot in good conscience to accept his donation”. Silver also held Irving accountable earlier Thursday. “While we appreciate the fact 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 apologized unreservedly and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film.” that he chose to make public,” the commissioner said in a statement released minutes before Irving spoke. Silver said in the statement that he will meet with Irving in person within the next week. It’s the second straight season the Nets have cut Irving off the team. Last year, it was when he refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19, leaving him unable to play home games. They finally brought him back to play road games in December. He was able to make a full comeback in March when New York’s vaccination mandate for athletes and performers was lifted. Irving posted the since-deleted link late last week and then defiantly defended his right to do so after the Nets’ home loss to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The team kept him from speaking to reporters after their two games this week, hoping to avoid further upsetting fans, but the time away hasn’t changed Irving’s attitude. He quickly became defensive Thursday, asking reporters why they didn’t ask questions about black American history, saying 300 million of his ancestors are buried in the country. “Where did you ask the same questions when I was a kid learning about the traumatic events of my family history and what I’m proud to be from and proud to be here,” Irving said, “and why when I repeat it I’m not going to back down, it’s not to do with the rejection of any other people of the tribe or group. “I’m just proud of my heritage and what we’ve been through and the fact that this has pitted me against the Jewish community and I’m here to answer questions about whether or not I’m sorry for something I did.” I didn’t create and it was something that I shared, and I tell everyone that I take responsibility, then I sit there.” Irving was also asked specifically about his beliefs about the Holocaust. “These lies are unfortunate,” Irving said, referring to the film’s content. “And it’s not that I don’t believe in the Holocaust. I never said that. Never ever. It never came out of my mouth. I never tweeted it. I never liked that. So the Holocaust in is an event that means something for a large group of people who suffered something that could have been avoided.” The Nets said Irving’s suspension will last “until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that will address the harmful effects of his conduct.” 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 2-6, costing coach Steve Nash his job on Tuesday. The team declined to give Irving a contract extension this summer after he was unavailable for so much of last season. Irving opted into the final season of his contract, making it likely he is in his final season with the team. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
