After the Nets suspended Kyrie Irving for a minimum of five games, NBA media wondered if the guard would ever play for Brooklyn again.
Kyrie Irving will sit out the Nets’ next five games. And he could sit out much longer.
That’s the conclusion of many in the NBA media after hearing about Brooklyn’s decision to suspend the guard for his social media post promoting an anti-Semitic film and subsequent refusal to apologize, admit wrongdoing or disavow specific anti-Jewish sentiments.
“We are of the view that [Irving] is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets,” the team said in a statement announcing the suspension.
Irving will serve a minimum of five games without pay and remain out “until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct.”
Those in the media reacted with support of the Nets’ actions, exasperation over Irving’s behavior and speculation over his future with the team.
How NBA media reacted to the Nets suspending Kyrie Irving
The Nets weren’t the only ones who weren’t convinced by Irving’s shallow performance at his Thursday press conference.
The Anti-Defamation League has declined to accept the $500,000 donation initially promised by Irving and Brooklyn in a bid to make things right with the Jewish community.
The best outcome for all of this is for Irving to be educated and come to truly understand his wrongdoing. As Steve Kerr said, “Words matter,” and up to this point, Irving’s actions and words have been insufficient.
A heartfelt apology and a clear denunciation of all bigotry is needed. There’s still a question of whether he is capable of getting to that point.
Unfortunately, hope for that outcome might be dimmed for those who peruse Twitter and encounter tweets backing up Irving’s actions and, worst of all, using his suspension to spread even more anti-Semitic beliefs.