Kyrie Irving Returns from Five Game Suspension
Ryan D’Amico
Staff Writer
Kyrie Irving has been in some controversy recently over his social media post of an antisemitic movie, leading to a suspension of five plus games away from the Brooklyn Nets. The Brooklyn Nets suspended Irving November 3rd after the post of an antisemitic documentary and an initial withhold of an apology. He has since put out multiple apologies since his suspension and return. The commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver, had a meeting with Kyrie after the post and comments and said, “We had a direct and candid conversation” and, “He’s someone I’ve known for a decade, and I’ve never heard an antisemitic word from him or, frankly, hate directed at any group.” Even with what Silver has said Kyrie still needs to realize that what he says and where he decides to spread that information can be hurtful.
With all the talk about how he is antisemitic and the comments about him there were some other players in the league and others surrounding the league who supported him. In the sense that even though what he did and said was wrong at first but that he just isn’t an antisemitic overall and that some of the requirements and things he had to do to come back from suspension was too much. Players like LeBron and Jaylen Brown tweeted about Kyrie’s suspension and actions he needed to take to come back. Lebron saying “I told you guys that I don’t believe in sharing hurtful information. And I’ll continue to be that way, but Kyrie apologized, and he should be able to play. That’s what I think. It’s that simple. Help him learn- but he should be playing. What he’s asked to do to get back on.” Showing his perspective on how Kyrie handled it.
There has been a lot of controversy recently with other celebrities such as Kanye West with his comments about antisemitism which is a far stretch when compared to Kyrie but still has its hurtful background implied. Along with other athletes such as Aaron Donald and Jaylen Brown dropping from Kanye’s brand because of his comments and thoughts on antisemitism.
He in all ends up returning after completing the tasks assigned to be able to return by Adam Silver after an eight game suspension without pay. He had to complete a list of actions before his return such as an apology, a donation to an anti-hate cause, sensitivity training, and meetings with Jewish leaders and Joe Tsai to demonstrate his understanding. He eventually issued multiple apologies to everyone in the community and to the league for his actions and returned to play against the Memphis Grizzlies. His team during that time went 5-3 without him while playing exceptionally better on both ends of the court.
Contact Ryan at ryan.damico@student.shu.edu