What did Nets owner Joe Tsai have to say about his meeting with Kyrie Irving?
On one side the Nets and their owner want their star point guard to show his remorse, on the other the NBAPA wants to know that players are protected. Something has got to give.
On Thursday the under-fire point guard had a meeting with Nets owners Joe and Clara Tsai and while it’s understood things went in a positive direction, it would appear there are still some cracks that need to be smoothed over.
Nets’ Joe & Clara Tsai meet with Kyrie Irving
Having issued a public statement of apology, as well having donated $500K to anti-hate causes and most recently meeting with Nets owners Joe and Clara Tsai, we know that Nets star Kyrie Irving has completed at least three of the six steps that he must take, before he can return to the team following the antisemitic controversy that he’s been embroiled in. Indeed, Irving continues to serve his five-game minimum suspension with Brooklyn preparing for a four-game road trip. To be clear, there has been no definitive word on when exactly Irving will be allowed to return, but given that it’s dependent on three other steps, we’re guessing it could still be a while yet.
As per reports, Irving is still expected to engage with a number of constituencies, including meeting with leaders of the Jewish community, before he returns. “Clara and I met with Kyrie and his family yesterday,” Nets owner Joe Tsai tweeted Friday. “We spent quality time to understand each other and it’s clear to me that Kyrie does not have any beliefs of hate towards Jewish people or any group.” Incidentally, Irving has in fact spent five games out, but Nets coach Jacque Vaughn dispelled any notion that Irving would be in the team on Sunday when they begin their road trip against the Lakers. “Joe [Tsai] put out that statement yesterday, kind of shows where the collaboration and alignment is right now, I have no update on timetable at all,” Vaughn said. The coach was also asked if he believed Irving would be available during their road trip at any point. “I do not know, I do know he’s not available tomorrow, I have been told that,” Vaughn said. To that end Tsai added shortly after that Irving “still has work to do” when asked if Irving would return during this road trip. “He has to show people that he’s sorry,” Tsai said on Saturday. “What’s important - and what people miss - is he only apologized after he was suspended.”
The NBAPA weighs in on Kyrie Irving’s situation again
Should it come to pass that Irving does not return during his team’s road trip, the first possible game he could play would be on November 20th when the Nets take host the Memphis Grizzlies at home in Brooklyn. Again, there does not to be a clear view of exactly when or how this scenario will end, which is something that the NBAPA has been keeping tabs on. On Friday, the association released a statement of its own.
“We have been working closely with Kyrie, the Nets organization and the NBA to develop a plan to move forward through forgiveness, understanding and healing,” it reads. Further to that, the association has stood firm on the idea that “Kyrie’s rights, and the rights of all future players, have been protected at every turn,” according to a memo. What that means, is by hook or crook the Nets will have to soften their stance eventually where the sidelining of Irving is concerned. On the other hand, it’s pretty clear that won’t be happening during the road trip on which they are about to embark.