Kyrie Irving has no one to blame but himself for his current predicament and most would agree that he deserved some form of punishment for his recent antics.
What Irving did by posting a link to a controversial documentary was akin to throwing a grenade in a crowded room, closing the door and checking in after the explosion to see the damage it caused.
That’s irresponsible and straight-up wrong, especially when you have power and influence.
For his antics, he was suspended for five games without pay. Afterward, Kyrie issued an apology on social media.
“To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize,” said Irving’s statement in part.
But the Nets took things a step further by giving Irving a redemption checklist that he must adhere to in order to play again. A list that seems excessively punitive.
According to The Athletic’s Sham Charania, Kyrie has six items on his checklist that must be accomplished before the organization will consider letting him play again.
Kyrie must (as per Shams):
1) Issue an apology for posting a link to the movie on Oct. 27, condemn the harmful and false content and make clear that he does not have anti-Jewish beliefs.
2) Complete the anti-hate causes that Irving, the Nets and the Anti-Defamation League agreed upon in their joint release on Nov. 2 — including a $500,000 donation toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in communities.
3) Complete sensitivity training created by the Nets.
4) Complete antisemitic/anti-hate training designed by the Nets.
5) Meet with representatives from the Anti-Defamation League, as well as Jewish community leaders in Brooklyn.
6) After completing 1 to 5, meet with owner Joe Tsai and lead franchise officials and demonstrate the lessons learned and that the gravity of the harm caused in the situation is understood, and provide assurances that this type of behavior will not be repeated.
I can’t recall a punishment similar to Irving’s in professional sports.
It feels disturbingly similar to a program for a convicted felon who must meet the requirements set by a probation officer.
Yet Kyrie committed no crime unless irresponsibility and ignorance without physical harm are now deemed criminal.
No one is denying that what he promoted by posting the content to his IG account was offensive and hurtful to many. That’s irrefutable.
And as much as he denied that he promoted it because he didn’t produce the film, the fact is that by posting it he actually promoted it.
Kyrie claims that he’s a free thinker, implying that he should be able to circulate things that contribute to this style of thinking. That’s why he felt comfortable sharing a video from Alex Jones.
This is the same rationale that “freedom of speech” proponents push, especially those who love to promote propaganda, ignorance and hate.
Honestly, they’re correct. Everyone in this country does have the right to say what they want.
But what they fail/refuse to acknowledge is that freedom of speech comes with responsibility and carries repercussions and consequences.
So say what you want, but be prepared for what comes next.
So What’s Next For Kyrie?
Some have swarmed to his defense, claiming that the punishment of the Nets star is an attempt to silence and neuter a knowledgeable Black man.
“Once the enemy puts his talons into you, he’s reaching for your mind,” said Minister Farrakhan in a speech on Kyrie and Ye. “But more than that, he’s reaching for your soul to empty us and make us weak when we could be strong.”
Others, like former teammate LeBron James, have come to Kyrie’s defense by critiquing his punishment.
“I told you guys that I don’t believe in sharing hurtful information. And I’ll continue to be that way but Kyrie apologized and he should be able to play,” tweeted James. “That’s what I think. It’s that simple. Help him learn- but he should be playing. What he’s asked to do to get back on the floor I think is excessive IMO. He’s not the person that’s being portrayed of him.”
Nets owner Joe Tsai, who levied the punishment on Irving, agrees with LeBron.
“It’s clear to me that Kyrie does not have any beliefs of hate towards Jewish people or any group,” tweeted Tsai. “The Nets and Kyrie, together with the NBA and NBPA, are working constructively toward a process of forgiveness, healing and education.”
Other defenders of Kyrie, like Etan Thomas, were quick to respond to Tsai.
“At the initial press conf Kyrie literally said, ‘I’m not a divisive person when it comes to religion. I embrace all walks of life. You see it on all my platforms. I talk to all races all cultures all religions.’ it seems like you & others intentionally ignored what he actually said,” tweeted Thomas.
During the Net’s game Saturday night against the Clippers, Tsai reiterated his position.
“He [Kyrie] has to show people that he’s sorry,” said Tsai to The New York Post. “What’s important – and what people miss – is he only apologized after he was suspended.”
Kyrie has said and done his fair share of dumb things, but they were never malicious. He’s never physically harmed or expressed hatred toward any individual or group.
He’s given to those in need of help. Kyrie has embraced, celebrated and supported his Native American heritage and family. He is a follower of Islam and practices peace and understanding, not hate.
Kyrie made a bad decision and is paying the price for his ignorance and defiance, so let that be it.
He explicitly apologized to those he harmed, donated money and met with leaders who helped him understand the hurt he caused. He even lost his Nike sponsorship.
He’s missed the last five games and Brooklyn has three games remaining on their current road trip, so he might end up missing those as well.
Kyrie has done his penance so let him play with the knowledge that he messed up.
Anything additional is excessive.
