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Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard Kyrie Irving has already missed the Nets’ last six games due to suspension. Irving originally received a minimum five-game suspension after sharing a link to an antisemitic film on Twitter on Oct. 27 and failing to apologize genuinely.
He was later given a list of requirements to fulfill before he could return to the team. This includes making donations to anti-hate causes and proving to Nets owner Joe Tsai that he isn’t antisemitic.
However, despite his recent efforts to be reinstated, "Uncle Drew" remains suspended. This could reportedly lead the National Basketball Players Association to step in.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the NBPA is considering filing a grievance case if Kyrie Irving’s return timetable is not resolved soon.
“Word is Irving is itching to get back on the floor and there have been rumbles for days that the NBPA, at some stage, could move to file a grievance on Irving's behalf if the various parties involved can’t reach a resolution on a return timetable,” Stein said.
The NBPA previously said on Friday that it expects Irving's suspension to be resolved soon. They have also made it known that they support Irving and do not consider him to be antisemitic.
“We have maintained from the beginning, and will continue to repeat every chance we get, that Kyrie and the Players Association unequivocally condemn antisemitism and all other forms of hate,” the NBPA said.
“We continue to make sure that Kyrie’s rights, and the rights of all future players, have been protected at every turn, and look forward very soon to a resolution of all matters satisfactory to all parties.”
Boston Celtics All-Star wing Jaylen Brown, the NBPA's vice president, also spoke last week about how the requirements for Irving’s return were unreasonable.
“He made a mistake. He posted something. There was no distinction,” Brown said, via The Boston Globe.
“Maybe we can move forward, but the terms in which he has to fulfill to return, I think not just speaking for me, speaking as a vice president from a lot of our players, we didn’t agree with the terms that was required for him to come back and we’re waiting for this Tuesday meeting to happen to see what comes of it.”
The six requirements that Irving needs to fulfill to be reinstated by the Nets are as follows:
- Apologize and condemn the film he promoted
- Make a $500,000 donation to anti-hate causes
- Complete sensitivity training
- Complete antisemitism training
- Meet with the ADL and Jewish leaders
- Meet with team owner Joe Tsai to demonstrate an understanding of the situation.
Kyrie Irving has already done at least a couple of these things, with Joe Tsai also confirming that he doesn’t believe Irving to be antisemitic. In a recent tweet, Tsai provided some insight into his meeting with Irving.
“Clara [Tsai's wife] and I met with Kyrie and his family yesterday. We spent quality time to understand each other and it’s clear to me that Kyrie does not have any beliefs of hate towards Jewish people or any group,” Tsai tweeted.
Tsai also tweeted that the Nets were working with Kyrie Irving and the NBPA to resolve the issue.
“The Nets and Kyrie, together with the NBA and NBPA, are working constructively toward a process of forgiveness, healing and education,” Tsai tweeted.
However, on Saturday night, Tsai appeared to backtrack a little bit. He told Brian Lewis of the New York Post that Irving still has work to do to prove that he is truly sorry.
“He still has work to do. He has to show people that he’s sorry. What’s important — and what people miss — is he only apologized after he was suspended,” Tsai said.
So at this point, the NBPA might feel like filing a grievance is its only hope to get Kyrie Irving reinstated by the Nets in the near future.
For Marc Stein's full report, click here.
Kyrie Irving breaks silence following meeting with Joe Tsai
Kyrie Irving hasn’t been very vocal since his suspension, but he did take to Twitter to make an additional statement on Sunday. The tweet didn’t mention his alleged antisemitism specifically, but Irving did make it clear that he has respect for all religions and political parties.
He tweeted:
“I was not put here on earth to participate in any religious/political wars or incite racial disharmony/prejudice within communities. We are all equal under the sun and I am here to participate in the building of an Equal world and follow the Word from the Most High/GOD/YAH.”
As of now, it remains to be seen if the tweet will have any impact on Kyrie Irving’s potential return date. The latest update from the Brooklyn Nets organization indicated that Irving has no timetable for a return.
The team is also 4-2 without him this season, so they may not be in a rush to bring him back.
The Nets’ next game will be on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings. They will then play in Portland on Thursday before returning home for a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
Guess the Lakers players!
