Kevin Durant Didn’t Like How Nets Handled The Situation By Suspending Kyrie Irving, Finds It “Unnecessary”, Blames It On Media-Led Chaos

Kyrie Irving has been suspended for five games without pay after initially failing to apologise for sharing a link to an anti-semitic video on his social media page.

Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America was the subject of Irving’s first post late last week. In a press conference on Saturday, he defended the post, claiming that he wouldn’t “back down” from what he stands for but failing to answer whether he had antisemitic views.

Kevin Durant Finds Nets Suspending Kyrie Irving An “Unnecessary” Move, Blames It On Media-Led Chaos

The Golden State Warriors player Kevin Durant, who is good friends with Irving and joined him in Brooklyn in 2019, said on Friday that he thought it was the incorrect course of action for the franchise to release a statement.

He said: “I’m not here to judge somebody or talk down on the life or how they feel their views. I just didn’t like anything that went on. I felt like it was all unnecessary. I felt like we could have just kept playing basketball and kept quiet as an organisation.”

Durant said that he thinks and trusts the organization “to do what’s right” when asked if the suspension, which may be longer than five games, was fair and just.

Additionally, Kevin Durant blamed the media for exaggerating the situation.

“This is how the NBA is now, with so many media outlets and their stories breaking quickly. Thus, that is the origin of the chaos. We always hear people’s opinions about the situation from everyone.”

After an immediate backlash, Durant took to Twitter to clarify his comments, and insisted he doesn’t condone antisemitism or hate speech of any kind. He wrote: “Just wanna clarify the statements I made at shootaround, I see some people are confused..I don’t condone hate speech or anti-semetism, I’m about spreading love always. Our game Unites people and I wanna make sure that’s at the forefront.”

Steps Nets Took As A Result

Kyrie Irving has been suspended for five games without pay after initially failing to apologise for sharing a link to an anti-semitic video on his social media page.

In response to Irving’s contentious social media post concerning a book and movie with antisemitic stereotypes, the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving will each give $500,000.

In a joint statement Wednesday night, Irving, the Nets, and the Anti-Defamation League announced the donations.

“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day,” Irving said in the statement. “I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility. I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life, and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light.”

 

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