Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo unloads on Nets’ Kyrie Irving amid anti-Semitic tweet

The self proclaimed ‘free-thinker’ Kyrie Irving has been suspended from the Brooklyn Nets for at least five games.

The punishment comes in response to his anti-Semitic tweet last Thursday, but some think the sentence is too light.

The guard finally apologized on his Instagram Thursday night, but that came after a week-long refusal to say sorry. Earlier Thursday, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo weighed in on what the Nets should do about Irving, via Jimmy Traina on Twitter:

“He should be suspended indefinitely until he apologizes. If he doesn’t like it, he can sue. You cannot have a star player in New York City sit there and promote a documentary that denies the Holocaust. In Brooklyn! He’s not in Kansas City. Brooklyn, New York! You cannot have that under any circumstances. And he’s a disgrace, anyway. Irving is such a freaking poison pill. Anybody who puts him on their team needs their heads examined … The guy is nuts, world’s flat, no vaccination, now this? The world is flat, you let it go, he’s an idiot, he’s not hurting anybody. The vaccination, he’s not the only one. This one you can’t let go. This is not Kyrie being Kyrie, folks.”

Irving posted his apology Thursday night on Instagram:

While doing research on YHWH, I posted a Documentary that contained some false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion, and I take full accountability and responsibly for my actions. I am grateful to have a big platform to share knowledge and I want to move forward by having an open dialogue to learn more and grow from this.

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. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary. I want to clarify any confusion on where I stand fighting against Anti- semticism by apologizing for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the Documentary I agreed with and disagreed with. I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all. I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I Am.

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The Nets gave Irving a chance to make things right during his media availability Thursday, but the seven-time All-Star refused to take responsibility for his tweet and all that it represented. That led Brooklyn to announce it was suspending Irving.

“Over the last several days, we have made repeated attempts to work with Kyrie Irving to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate. We believed that taking the path of education in this challenging situation would be the right one and thought that we had made progress with our joint commitment to eradicating hate and intolerance.

“We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity – but failed – to clarify.

“Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team. Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets. 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 Nets suspension came hours after NBA commissioner Adam Silver expressed his dismay at Irving’s messaging.

“Kyrie Irving made a reckless decision to post a link to a film containing deeply offensive antisemitic material. 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.”

Irving has been widely criticized since the initial tweet went up a week ago Thursday promoting the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” NBA Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal called him an “idiot” and said he should be suspended, while Amar’e Stoudemire, a former Nets assistant who converted to Judaism, said Irving needed to apologize.

MORE NBA:

– Too little, too late: Nets’ Kyrie Irving finally apologizes for anti-Semitic tweet

– Nets suspend Kyrie Irving for at least 5 games after he fails to apologize; future remains ‘unclear’

– NBA’s Adam Silver calls Nets’ Kyrie Irving ‘reckless,’ says he’s ‘disappointed’ he hasn’t apologized for anti-Semitic tweet

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Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.

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