NEW YORK – Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash says he hopes the organization can grow from the latest controversy surrounding Kyrie Irving’s social media posts.
Irving tweeted Thursday, then Sunday night, deleted a link to the movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” based on a book that contains antisemitic themes.
“I just hope we all get through this together,” Nash said before Monday’s 116-109 win over the Indiana Pacers. “There’s always an opportunity for us to grow and understand new perspectives. I think the organization is trying to take that attitude that we can communicate that. And try to all leave in a better position and have more understanding and as well as more empathy for everyone. side of this discussion and situation.”
Nash said it “definitely helps” that Irving deleted the post but did not go into detail about whether disciplinary action was ever considered for Irving, noting that he was not part of any internal communications within the organization. As for how the organization felt Irving handled the past two days, Nash said it was an “ongoing conversation.”
“I wasn’t involved in those internal negotiations to be honest,” Nash said. “I’m just coaching, preparing the team, but I know they’re constantly working on it.”
A group of eight men and women sat courtside Monday night wearing “Fight Anti-Semitism” T-shirts. Speaking to ESPN at halftime, Nets season ticket holder Aaron Jungreis said he believes Irving should be suspended.
“We felt the Nets did not condone an antisemite in their ranks,” Jungreis said. “And we wanted to show love, we’re still Nets fans and we love the team, but they should blame Kyrie because he’s full of hate. We’re full of love. Hopefully he’ll be around next time. come.”
Jungreis said he doesn’t believe the Nets did enough following Irving’s post and Saturday night’s press conference in which he defended him.
“I hope he realizes how much anti-Semitism he is fueling by firing him [a link to] A movie like this,” Jungreis said. “It’s very anti-Semitic. And I hope he comes to his senses. … I think he should be stopped and he should understand what he did, but I don’t know if they will.”
The Nets did not allow Irving to speak to the media after the game. A Nets spokesman said they did not yet know if Irving would speak to the media after Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
Meanwhile, Nets guard Ben Simmons was a surprise sidekick for Monday’s game due to a sore left knee.
“He just has a sore knee,” Nash said. “That’s all I really know. [Tuesday] we have to follow up and see how he is, but he’s out tonight and we’ll see how the knee is [Tuesday] and if it exists.”
Nets guard Seth Curry also missed Monday’s game with a sore left foot. Curry made his season debut in Saturday’s loss to the Pacers.
