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NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated he has “little doubt” that Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving isn’t antisemitic after the 2 had what Silver known as “a direct and candid dialog” earlier this week on the league’s headquarters in New York.
Silver, who’s Jewish, made his remarks in an interview with the New York Occasions on Thursday, two weeks after Irving made a controversial publish that included a hyperlink to a movie containing antisemitic concepts.
Irving’s publish obtained huge backlash, together with the Nets suspending him for at the least 5 video games and Nike’s co-founder Phil Knight saying Thursday that the shoe firm’s relationship with Irving is probably going severed for good.
“He is somebody I’ve identified for a decade, and I’ve by no means heard an antisemitic phrase from him or, frankly, hate directed at any group,” Silver informed the Occasions.
Silver added: “Whether or not or not he’s antisemitic isn’t related to the injury attributable to the posting of hateful content material.”
Silver acknowledged to the Occasions that criticism the league and the Nets obtained for not disciplining Irving quicker “could also be truthful.” Irving was suspended by the Nets on Nov. 3, one week after he posted his tweet, after he did not formally apologize throughout a information convention earlier within the day. Irving issued an apology in an Instagram publish later that night time.
“I really feel that we obtained to the best consequence right here when it comes to his suspension,” Silver stated. “And on reflection, we might have been capable of get there quicker. I settle for that criticism. However I felt it was essential to know the context by which it was posted to know what self-discipline was applicable, not in any method to excuse it however to know what self-discipline was applicable.”
Silver stated the league wished to do “a bit of labor and analysis to know” Irving’s publish earlier than deciding how one can proceed. That included Silver himself watching the movie.
“As soon as we did that investigation, it was clear to me that this was certainly hate speech and we, along with the Brooklyn Nets, did reply,” Silver stated.
Irving has missed 4 video games because of his suspension and may very well be eligible to return Sunday in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers, although it’s unclear when the Nets will reinstate him.
Silver stated the Nets will resolve when Irving can return in session with the NBA.
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