Steve Nash on Kyrie Irving

NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash says he is hopeful the group will have the ability to develop from the most recent controversy centered round Kyrie Irving’s social media posts.

Irving on Thursday tweeted, then on Sunday evening deleted, a hyperlink to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which relies on a e book that incorporates antisemitic tropes.

“I simply hope that all of us undergo this collectively,” Nash mentioned previous to Monday’s 116-109 win over the Indiana Pacers. “There’s at all times a possibility for us to develop and perceive new views. I feel the group is attempting to take that stance the place we are able to talk by this. And attempt to all come out in a greater place and each extra understanding and extra empathy for each aspect of this debate and state of affairs.”

Nash mentioned it “definitely helps” that Irving deleted the submit however didn’t go into specifics about whether or not or not disciplinary motion was ever thought of for Irving, noting that he wasn’t a part of all the interior conversations throughout the group. As for the way the group felt Irving dealt with the previous two days, Nash mentioned it was an “ongoing dialog.”

“I have not been part of these inside talks to be trustworthy,” Nash mentioned. “I have been simply teaching, getting ready the group, however I do know that they are working at that always.”

A bunch of eight women and men sat courtside close to the Pacers bench Monday evening sporting “Battle Anti-Semitism” T-shirts. Talking to ESPN at halftime of the sport, Nets season-ticket holder Aaron Jungreis mentioned he believes Irving must be suspended.

“We felt that the Nets didn’t condemn an antisemite of their ranks,” Jungreis mentioned. “And we needed to point out love, we’re nonetheless Web followers and we love the group, however they need to reprimand Kyrie as a result of he is filled with hate. We’re full of affection. Hopefully he’ll come round to the opposite aspect.”

Jungreis mentioned he doesn’t imagine the Nets have performed sufficient within the wake of Irving’s submit and his information convention Saturday evening through which he defended it.

“I hope he realizes how a lot antisemitism he’s stoking by placing out [a link to] a movie like this,” Jungreis mentioned. “Which is extraordinarily anti-Jewish. And I hope he involves his senses. … I feel he must be suspended and he ought to perceive what he did, however I do not know if they are going to.”

The Nets didn’t make Irving out there to talk to the media after the sport. A Nets spokesperson mentioned they did not but know whether or not Irving would tackle the media following Tuesday’s recreation towards the Chicago Bulls.

In the meantime, Nets guard Ben Simmons was a shock scratch for Monday’s recreation due to left knee soreness.

“He simply has a sore knee,” Nash mentioned. “That is all I do know actually. [Tuesday] we’ll have to watch and see how he’s, however tonight he is out and we’ll see how the knee is [Tuesday] and if he is out there.”

Nets guard Seth Curry additionally missed Monday’s recreation due to left ankle soreness. Curry made his season debut in Saturday’s loss to the Pacers.