“I am not an anti-Semite. I never was. I have no hatred in my heart for the Jewish people or anyone who identifies as Jewish. I’m not anti-Jewish or anything like that.”
Suspended since November 3 for sharing on his Twitter account a film filled with anti-Semitic tropes and for not spontaneously apologizing, Kyrie Irving finally addressed a worthy apology to the Jewish community during his interview with journalist Ian Begley, on the New York channel SNY.
“I just want to focus on the harm I’ve caused or the impact I’ve had within the Jewish community. For placing any kind of threat, or possible threat, to the Jewish community, I want to deeply apologize for all my actions since this post was posted.”, did he declare.
An influence to be used differently
The leader of the Nets admitted to having gone through difficult times, vis-à-vis his family and loved ones. He also claims to have become aware of the impact he could have on his fans and the importance of using it wisely.
“It was difficult to stay at home with my family who saw all this and asked me questions. What was not difficult was to explain myself because I know who I am, what I represent. But I think the hardest part is going through it all, understanding the power of my voice, the influence that I have. I’m not anyone’s idol, but I’m a human being who wants to make an impact and change things. For that, I have to live responsibly and set a better example for our young people. For my generation and the generation before”.
During his suspension, Kyrie Irving also confided that he was able to meet with leaders of the Jewish community but also of other horizons, the sum of which is the pride of the city of New York.
“It was a long learning curve to be honest with you, a lot of wounds that needed to be healed, a lot of discussions that needed to be held. And a lot of thought. And I had the chance to do it with great people from the Jewish community, from the black community, from the white community”he added. “I tried to find a better perspective on how to live a more harmonious life. I am a man who defends peace. I don’t tolerate any hate speech or prejudice and I don’t want to find myself at a point where my position is misunderstood in terms of anti-Semitism or any other form of hatred against anyone in this world.”
This interview should be the last step prior to his return to the courts, which should logically take place this Sunday, on the occasion of the reception of the Grizzlies.
| Kyrie Irving | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2011-12 | KEY | 51 | 31 | 46.9 | 39.9 | 87.2 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 5.4 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 18.5 |
| 2012-13 | KEY | 59 | 35 | 45.2 | 39.1 | 85.5 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 5.9 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 22.5 |
| 2013-14 | KEY | 71 | 35 | 43.0 | 35.8 | 86.1 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 6.1 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 20.8 |
| 2014-15 | KEY | 75 | 36 | 46.8 | 41.5 | 86.3 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 5.2 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 21.7 |
| 2015-16 | KEY | 53 | 32 | 44.8 | 32.2 | 88.5 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 3.0 | 4.7 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 19.6 |
| 2016-17 | KEY | 72 | 35 | 47.3 | 40.1 | 90.5 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 25.2 |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 60 | 32 | 49.1 | 40.8 | 88.9 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 24.4 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 67 | 33 | 48.7 | 40.1 | 87.3 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 6.9 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 23.8 |
| 2019-20 | BRK | 20 | 33 | 47.8 | 39.4 | 92.2 | 1.1 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 6.4 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 27.4 |
| 2020-21 | BRK | 54 | 35 | 50.6 | 40.2 | 92.2 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 26.9 |
| 2021-22 | BRK | 29 | 38 | 46.9 | 41.8 | 91.5 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 27.5 |
| 2022-23 | BRK | 8 | 39 | 45.3 | 28.0 | 92.7 | 0.8 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 26.9 |
| Total | 619 | 34 | 47.0 | 39.1 | 88.3 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 23.1 | |
