Why was Kyrie Irving suspended from the Brooklyn Nets?

BROOKLYN Nets point guard Kyrie Irving was suspended without pay on November 3, 2022.

The team announced on Thursday that the star player would be out for at least five games.

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Why was Kyrie Irving suspended from the Brooklyn Nets?

Kyrie Irving has been suspended after refusing to apologize after sharing praise on his social media channels for a documentary that was anti-Semitic.

The team said they have been working with Irving over the past few days to “help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions.”

The statement said they believed they had made progress in their “common commitment to eradicating hatred and intolerance.”

However, when Irving had an opportunity to comment on the issue Thursday and make a statement against anti-Semitic beliefs, he did not.

Regarding the media session, the Nets said, “We were dismayed today when we had an opportunity in a media session that Kyrie refused to state unequivocally that he has no anti-Semitic beliefs, nor to acknowledge certain hateful material in the film.”

“This wasn’t the first time he’s had the opportunity – but failed – to clarify.”

What did Kyrie Irving tweet that sparked such outrage?

Irving tweeted a link to a 2018 documentary on Saturday entitled: Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America

When the media picked him up and pointed out fake quotes attributed to Hitler and Holocaust denial, Kyrie doubled down.

He said, “I won’t give up anything I believe in.”

“I’m only getting stronger because I’m not alone.”

“I have a whole army around me.”

However, the army around him quickly thinned as Irving repeatedly failed to apologize for his actions.

After being given several opportunities, the best excuse Irving came up with was that he “didn’t do the documentary.”

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“So once again I take full responsibility, I repeat, for posting something on my Instagram or Twitter that may have contained some unfortunate untruths,” he added.

What does the NBA want from Kyrie Irving?

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wants a real apology from Kyrie Irving.

While Irving and the Nets announced Wednesday they would each be donating $500,000 to anti-hate causes, Irving has still stopped denouncing anti-Semitism.

A statement from the team said: “Such a failure to reject antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply troubling, goes against the values ​​of our organization and constitutes behavior that is detrimental to the team.”

“Accordingly, we believe he is not suitable to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets at this time.”