WATCH: Kyrie Irving Gives Explosive Interview Following Antisemitic Controversy

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving had a lot to say following backlash over what many viewed as his promotion of antisemitic content

Joey Linn | Oct 29, 2022

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Brooklyn Nets

When asked about the backlash he's received since sharing a controversial post that ultimately generated a statement from Joe Tsai and the NBA, Kyrie Irving told the whole back story on how he stumbled across the film in question.

Explaining that he was Googling the origin of his name, which led him to this film, Irving said he was not online searching up antisemitic content to share with his followers. Instead, Irving said he was doing what he frequently does, which is try to educate and uplift his community. As for the backlash specifically, Irving had some in-depth thoughts.

"In terms of the backlash or what people call it, we're in 2022, history is not supposed to be hidden from anybody," Irving told reporters. "I'm not a divisive person when it comes to religion. I embrace all walks of life, you see it on all my platforms. I talk to all races, all cultures, all religions."

When asked if he watched the film in question, Irving confirmed that he had. When asked if after watching the film he understands why some believe it contains antisemitic content, Irving gave a less direct answer.

"We're in 2022. It's on Amazon, a public platform," Irving said. "Whether you wanna go watch it or not is up to you. There's things being posted every day. I am no different than the next human being, so don't treat me any different."

Before moving on from the topic, Irving engaged in a heated exchange with one reporter who was trying to get him to answer a question he would not answer:

It is safe to say that this postgame media session from Irving did not do much to put this noise in the past, as there will now be much more to discuss.

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Published Oct 29, 2022

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn32@sbcglobal.net Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis, insight, and reporting Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Receiving a media credential during the 2021-22 season, Joey has experience interviewing NBA players, and developing exclusive stories from these interviews. Having appeared on several different NBA podcasts over the last four seasons, Joey is now hosting his own podcast for The Sporting Tribune. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Now graduated, Joey is covering the NBA full-time across multiple platforms. Credentialed by the Clippers, Joey covers the team daily with articles, podcasts, and video breakdowns on YouTube. With four years of sports media experience, Joey provides expert insight and analysis for NBA fans across the league.

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