Nets GM Sean Marks Outlines The Conditions For Kyrie Irving’s Reinstatement
Kyrie Irving, a suspended Nets player, apologized late on Thursday night for endorsing a movie with anti-Semitic tropes, which was a positive step toward his team’s decision to lift the suspension. But it won’t be sufficient.
The Nets suspended Irving for at least five games on Thursday night after he went an entire week without offering an apology, engaging in contentious discussions with the media, and doubling down at every opportunity. Irving finally expressed his regret in an Instagram post after four hours.
He must now express his regret in person.
Kyrie Irving is asked again if he has any anti-Semitic beliefs: “I cannot be anti-Semitic if I know where I come from.” pic.twitter.com/wcpLTkMEtM
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 3, 2022
Sean Marks Outlines The Conditions For Kyrie Irving’s Reinstatement
In a press conference on Friday morning, Nets General Manager Sean Marks listed four requirements Kyrie Irving must fulfil in order to be reinstated.
The Nets have suspended Kyrie Irving.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 3, 2022
“After anything like this, you’d always hope there is a change, a change in feelings and a change in attitude,” general manager Sean Marks said. “Per his apology [Thursday] night, that is a step in the right direction. Again, as we stated, actions speak louder than words. The apology is a step in the right direction. It’s not enough.”
Sean Marks says Kyrie’s apology last night was a good first step but the organization wants him to take some more steps — including meeting with Jewish leaders — before playing for the Nets again.
Marks said the organization never considered releasing Kyrie.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) November 4, 2022
“There’s going to be some remedial steps and measures that will be in place for him to obviously seek some counseling, dealing with some anti-hate and some Jewish leaders within our community. He’s going to have to sit down with them, and he’s going to have to sit down with the organization after this. We will evaluate and see if this is the right opportunity to bring him back.”
Kevin Durant wants the Nets to "move past" the Kyrie Irving controversy, while GM Sean Marks said Irving's apology was "a step in the right direction."
More: https://t.co/VJ5HvNmlNN pic.twitter.com/LoFTjGcdX9
— ESPN (@espn) November 4, 2022
Kyrie Irving is more than willing to hold fast to his convictions, as we have seen when he missed two-thirds of last season (missing out on a fully-guaranteed maximum contract) because he refused to take a COVID-19 vaccine and when he refused to apologize over this most recent controversy. It will be interesting to watch if and when those convictions allow him to play in a Nets uniform once more.
Nike announces the company is suspending its relationship with Kyrie Irving, effective immediately, and will no longer launch his new Kyrie 8.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 5, 2022
Marks claimed that waiving Kyrie Irving, a seven-time All-Star who is now averaging 26.9 points per game this season, was never an option.
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Kyrie Irving Suspension History: Total Of $17 Million Lost In Paying Fines