ORLANDO, Florida — Steve Kerr on Thursday declined to discuss Kyrie Irving, who promoted a controversial book and movie featuring antisemitic tropes via Twitter last week. But the Warriors coach did have a message about the importance of being cautious and informed about what you share on social media.
“Word matter,” Kerr said ahead of the Warriors’ game against the Orlando Magic.
Kerr wasn’t speaking directly about the embattled Brooklyn Nets guard. In fact, asked about Irving, Kerr said, “I’m going to sit that one out.” But pressed further on the need for the NBA taking a stand against antisemitism, racism and other discriminatory language, Kerr stressed that it’s crucial to be aware of what you’re posting.
“Words really, really matter, and in modern society, with social media, the way things can sort of just pan across the globe exponentially and get five million hits immediately, every comment matters, everything you say matters,” Kerr said. “We have to be more vigilant as a society, we can’t be just accepting comments that are so destructive and insulting to people. And it’s crucial that everybody whether you’re a professional athlete or not, it’s crucial that everybody think before they just throw stuff out there that can be so damaging.”
Irving came under fire last week when he posted a tweet last week promoting the 2018 movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” Rolling Stone reported that the movie is “stuffed with antisemitic tropes.”
Irving received swift backlash for the post, though he told reporters he didn’t believe he did anything wrong. He has since deleted the tweet.
Kerr’s comments come just hours after Irving said he took responsibility for his social media posts, but he didn’t apologize for it. Asked specifically if he had any antisemitic beliefs, Irving told reporters, in part, “I cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, in a statement Thursday, blasted Irving for his “reckless decision” to share a movie containing “deeply offensive antisemitic material.” Silver plans to meet with Irving in person in the next week regarding the posts.
Irving and the Nets on Wednesday pledged a combined $1 million to causes and organizations working to eradicate hate and intolerance to Jewish communities. They also plan to work with the Anti-Defamation League. But Silver doesn’t believe that’s enough.
“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,” Silver said in a written statement Thursday morning.
The Nets have suspended Irving for at least five games, The Athletic reported Thursday night.
