Kyrie Irving ‘is NOT a horrible person,’ claims Stephen A. Smith after guard’s anti-Semitic tweet

Stephen A. Smith claimed Kyrie Irving is not a “terrible person,” but he did admit that the Brooklyn Nets Guard’s stubbornness and arrogance over his anti-Semitic tweet put him in a bad position.

The NBA star was banned from at least five games by the Nets on Thursday night after sharing a link to a film based on a book described as “toxicly anti-Semitic” last week.

The 30-year-old faced backlash and criticism for the post, but initially refused to resign or apologize for his actions until his suspension Thursday, when he finally released a statement saying he was “deeply sorry.” .

However, Smith offered a little support to Irving amid the uproar, insisting the player wasn’t a bad person.

On ESPNs first takeSmith said, ‘He’s not a terrible person, he really isn’t. We should all be sad because he is a sensational talent who I think has his heart in the right place.”

Smith went on to claim that Irving’s quest for knowledge and enlightenment has led him to look down on others who do not share his views.

Stephen A. Smith (left) claimed Kyrie Irving (right) is not a ‘terrible person’ under fire

He also claimed that Irving’s stubbornness in response to the response he has received has worsened the situation.

“He’s a person who is looking for knowledge and he’s one of those people who woke up one day and just looked at his people, the African American community and the black people in general, and decided to do a lot of research.” do because his soul was touched. in such a way that he felt the need to be enlightened,” Smith added.

“The problem is that the more enlightened he became, or thought he was becoming, the more he looked down upon other people he didn’t think were siding with his way of thinking.

“But his stubbornness, his arrogance and his lofty intellect in his eyes compared to everyone else, have trapped him in this particular situation. And it’s just a really, really, really bad sight for him right now.”

He also claimed that Nets owner Joe Tsai is “done” with Irving and his controversy, while other NBA owners feel the player “cannot be trusted to show up for work every day without a hitch.”

He added: “I’ve been told that Joe Tsai is pretty done with him. Obviously he’s also a businessman so that means he’ll be taking Kyrie Irving back at some point this year given the level of remorse he showed with his statement last night and as a result he will likely be back on the team come, but there’s certainly no long-term commitment.

Smith claimed Nets owner Joe Tsai (right) is ‘done’ with Irving and his controversy

“Kyrie was going to go anyway, he was definitely tempted to leave this summer, it’s now official he won’t be Brooklyn Net next season.

“From what I’ve been told – people think I’m just saying this, they don’t understand I’m being told this – I haven’t found a single owner who has expressed a hint of comfort when it comes to investing in him long term.

“They think he’s a superstar talented basketball player who just can’t be trusted to show up for work every day without a hitch.”

The pundit also said he had been told that other NBA owners are not comfortable signing Irving

Since Irving posted the Amazon link to the film on Twitter, Irving has argued with the media, telling reporters, “I’m not going to resign myself to something I believe in.” He then appeared to come back on Sunday by deleting the post without explanation.

Irving was criticized for failing to apologize, with even NBA commissioner Adam Silver blaming the player for failing to apologize for sharing “despicable and harmful anti-Semitic material” online.

In addition, the Anti-Defamation League rejected a proposed $500,000 donation from Irving, saying he “feels no responsibility for his actions.”

The Brooklyn Nets star caught the eye with the release of the 2018 film, which is based on a book of the same name that has been described as “toxicly anti-Semitic.”

Irving eventually said he regretted the incendiary tweet in a statement on Thursday, but only after he received his minimum five-game suspension from the Nets.

While Nets general manager Sean Marks acknowledged the apology was a “step in the right direction”, it is not enough to end Irving’s five-game suspension.

Marks addressed reporters during the morning shoot in Washington ahead of Friday’s game against the Wizards. The Nets director and former San Antonio Spurs player suspended Irving for at least five games on Thursday night.

The All-Star point guard will not be reinstated until he “complies with a set of objective corrective actions that address the damaging impact of his behavior,” a team statement said.

Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks speaks during a press conference for an NBA basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls on Tuesday

“Actions speak louder than words,” Marks told reporters on Friday. “So he’s had some time, and more time to think about this is coming.”

“Some corrective steps and measures will be taken to get him honest advice, designated by the team, on how to deal with some anti-hate and some Jewish leaders within our community,” Marks continued.

“He’s going to have to sit down with them, he’s going to have to sit down with the organization after that. And we will evaluate and see if this is the right opportunity to get him back.”

Marks also said he has not considered releasing Irving.