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Shaquille O'Neal was covering the NBA for TNT when news broke that the Brooklyn Nets had suspended Kyrie Irving indefinitely without pay. The Hall of Fame center did not mince words in criticizing the mercurial point guard, calling him an “idiot.”
On an episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq,” O’Neal had a lengthy comment to what he said at that time:
(Starts at the 3:05 mark)
“A lot of people took offense with what I said because a lot of times you listen, but you listen through emotions. When I said “idiot,” I meant you can’t do anything that’s going to blemish your name, you personally! You personally can’t blemish or tarnish your name, your legacy, your career.
“I don’t mess with people’s religions and what they do. You believe what you believe and you stand on what you believe, that’s what you’re supposed to do. But when you put yourself in jeopardy, you gotta be smarter than that. And that’s all what I was saying when I said “idiot.”
“A lot of us when we get this money and we get these followers, we think we know everything. … Social media is a powerful tool but you have to practice some type of responsibility with that.”
Kyrie Irving was suspended for repeatedly failing to unequivocally deny that he had any anti-Semitic beliefs or supported anti-Semitism. He didn’t back down until he was suspended by the Brooklyn Nets. Only when the suspension officially came out did he publicly apologize for what he did.
When Shaquille O'Neal called Irving an idiot, he added that people with significant followings should be more responsible with what they post on social media. He noted that the Brooklyn Nets point guard wasn’t cautious nor did he care about what was going on.
When asked during the podcast about the backlash he received for calling Irving an idiot, Shaquille O'Neal emphatically replied:
“Listen, I don’t give a f**k what they do. I stand on what I said and I say what I say and mean what I say.”
Shaquille O'Neal didn’t agree with how the Brooklyn Nets made the remedial measures public
Despite condemning the suspended Kyrie Irving’s actions, Shaquille O'Neal didn’t like the way the Nets handled how and what information was released to the media.
(Starts at the 31:42 mark)
“No, it’s not warranted and it’s unprofessional for Joe Tsai and the organization to put the demands out to the public. … That’s what we call on the streets a punk move.”
For Kyrie Irving to be reinstated, he would have to fulfill six “objective remedial measures.” The seven-time All-Star is reportedly almost finished with everything that’s required of him. He has already missed eight straight games since the suspension.
Irving has been silent on social media since making his public apology. Joe Tsai, however, confirmed that the point guard had no anti-Semitic beliefs.
Kyrie Irving is now rumored to be available on Sunday when the Brooklyn Nets host the Memphis Grizzlies.
