NBA's Adam Silver Finally Addresses Kyrie Irving Antisemitic Tweet

It took nearly a week, but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has finally addressed Kyrie Irving's promotion of an antisemitic film. He released a statement this morning calling the move "reckless" and saying he's "disappointed" that "an unqualified apology" has yet to be issued by the player. 

The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/iD3GkJvekR

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 3, 2022

"Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material," Silver's statement begins. "While we appreciate the fact that he agreed to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicize. I will be meeting with Kyrie in person in the next week to discuss this situation."

In other words, the carefully worded public relations release the team sent out earlier which contains the usual Irving double-speak, but does not contain an apology, does not go far enough. 

Apparently, the commissioner does not think Kyrie Irving calling himself "a beacon of truth and light" was a sufficient form of apology. https://t.co/gQ5kbnpjTE

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 3, 2022

In the release sent out by the Nets and Irving, it's noted that the player will be donating money and working with the team and the ADL, while Irving "is aware" of the negative impact his post had, he did not offer an actual apology, while referring to himself as "a beacon of truth and light."

Photo: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports