Silver, Nets owner Tsai say they don't believe Kyrie is antisemitic

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai agree that Kyrie Irving is not antisemitic amid controversy that began when the guard shared a link to a film promoting antisemitism.

"We had a direct and candid conversation," Silver told Sopan Deb of the New York Times. "He's someone I've known for a decade, and I've never heard an antisemitic word from him or, frankly, hate directed at any group."

The commissioner reportedly had a productive meeting with Irving on Tuesday in the midst of the star's team-issued suspension.

Tsai took to Twitter on Friday, stating that after he met with Irving, "it's clear" the player does not hold hateful beliefs toward Jewish people or any other group.

The Nets owner added that the team, league, and players' association are working with Irving on "a process of forgiveness, healing, and education."

Silver maintains that even if there was no malicious intent, the material was still harmful to share.

"Whether or not he is antisemitic is not relevant to the damage caused by the posting of hateful content," Silver said.

Irving first posted the now-deleted tweet Oct. 27. The NBA did not comment on the situation until Nov. 3 when Silver issued a statement that labeled the 30-year-old's decision to share the link "reckless." The Nets suspended Irving that same day.

Silver agrees with the team's decision to penalize Irving for at least five games.

"I feel that we got to the right outcome here in terms of his suspension," the commissioner said.

The NBA faced public scrutiny for not acting sooner, but Silver says he felt it was important to understand the full context before issuing discipline, which included watching the full three-and-a-half-hour film.

Silver says the Nets will choose when Irving may return "in consultation with the league." The team reportedly issued the guard a list of tasks he must complete before being allowed to rejoin, including meeting with Jewish leaders, apologizing publicly, and denouncing the film's antisemitic content.

Irving apologized via Instagram last week, stating the movie contained "some false antisemitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish race/religion."

He has served four of the minimum five games of his suspension. If Irving were to return after the fifth, he'd be on track to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers.