"Unfit": Kyrie Irving Suspended By Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have finally had enough. After a week of controversy over his tweet promoting a hate-filled antisemitic film and continually refusing to apologize for it, Kyrie Irving has been suspended without pay by the Nets. The team says it is for "at least" 5 games, with conditions for his return. 

 “We are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets," said the team in a statement. "We have decided that Kyrie will serve a suspension without pay until he satisfies a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct and the suspension period served is no less than five games."

The team outlined their "repeated attempts" to work with Irving to get him to understand "the harm and danger of his words and actions, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate." 

But it was clearly his outright refusal, in a media session today, to say he does not have any antisemitic beliefs, and a repeated refusal to directly apologize for his actions, that was the final straw that led to this suspension. 

As far as whether Irving will satisfy those "remedial measures", NBA legend and social activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar isn't confident that it'll happen.  

“There’s little hope that he will change because he’s insulated by fame and money and surrounded by yes-people," wrote Kareem. "There is no motivation to learn how to distinguish propaganda from facts. All that’s left is for the world to decide how it should respond to him.” 

Now the Brooklyn Nets have responded. 

Photo: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports