Nets owner disappointed Irving backed antisemitic work

NEW YORK - Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai said Friday he is disappointed that Kyrie Irving appears to support a film "based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation."

The Nets' star guard posted a link for the film "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America" on Twitter on Thursday. The synopsis on Amazon said the film "uncovers the true identity of the Children of Israel."

Tsai and the Nets reacted quickly to the latest trouble stirred up by Irving, who had previously supported the idea of the Earth being flat and last month on social media shared an old clip from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

"I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion," Tsai wrote on Twitter regarding Irving.

Irving was unavailable for most of the Nets' home games last season because he refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as was mandated in New York City. The Nets then declined to give him a contract extension this summer, meaning Irving could be in his final season with the team.

"The Brooklyn Nets strongly condemn and have no tolerance for the promotion of any form of hate speech," the team said in a statement. "We believe that in these situations, our first action must be open, honest dialogue. We thank those, including the ADL, who have been supportive during this time."

Irving addressed the matter on Twitter Saturday. 

"I am an OMNIST and I meant no disrespect to anyone's religious beliefs. The 'Anti-Semitic' label that is being pushed on me is not justified and does not reflect the reality or truth I live in everyday. I embrace and want to learn from all walks of life and religion," Irving wrote.

CBS2's Steve Overmyer got reaction from fans outside the Barclays Center.

"I don't assume necessarily that he's antisemitic. I just think if he were to understand in more detail what he was saying or what was meant in those movies that he's tweeting out, he might think a little harder before sending a tweet like that," one fan said.

The NBA, meanwhile, waded into the matter by condemning hate speech in a statement, but did not mention Irving by name or make any direct reference to his latest controversial storyline.

"We believe we all have a role to play in ensuring such words or ideas, including antisemitic ones, are challenged and refuted and we will continue working with all members of the NBA community to ensure that everyone understands the impact of their words and actions," the league said.

It was not clear if that meant the league has spoken to Irving, or plans to speak to him on the matter.

Irving played in the Nets' game Saturday against Indiana.

After Saturday's game, Irving was still unable to provide clarity and became combative.

"We're in 2022. History is not supposed to be hidden from anybody and I'm not a divisive person when it comes to religion," Irving said during a tense postgame press conference. "I embrace all walks of life."

"The organization has spoken to Kyrie about it," said Nets coach Steve Nash, who did not divulge specifics of what that meant.

But nothing that was said will stop Irving from what he wants to share.

"I'm not going to stand down on anything I believe in," he said. "I'm only going to get stronger because I'm not alone. I have a whole army around me."

Irving said he understood Tsai's position but was quick to say that he did nothing harmful, adding that just because he posts about something doesn't necessarily means he supports it.

"Did I do anything illegal? Did I hurt anybody?" Irving said. "Did I harm anybody? Am I going out and saying that I hate one specific group of people?"

Irving isn't backing down and, as of Saturday night, still hasn't deleted the tweet linking to the film.  

"What am I promoting?" Irving asked a reporter.

"You put it out on your platform," a reporter responded.

"But I'm promoting it? ... Yeah, I put it out there just like you put things out there, right? OK, you put things out there for a living, right? Great, so let's move on. Let's move on. Let's move on. Don't dehumanize me up here. I'm another human being. I can post whatever I want so say that and shut it down and move on to the next question," Irving said. "I don't have to understand anything from you. Nothing. Nothing. No people that you're making up, bro, move on. Move on, next question."

Tsai went further in, saying, "This is bigger than basketball."

In:
• Kyrie Irving
• Antisemitism