Problems off the court continue with Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving.
The seven-time Allstar tweeted out a book called Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, which has been documented for containing misleading antisemitic information.
Many fans and the team took offense to his promotion of the book.
“I’m disappointed that Kyrie appears to support a film based on a book full of anti-semitic disinformation,” Joe Tasi, governor of the Nets and founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, said in response to Irving’s action.
“I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us, and as a man of faith, it is wrong to promote hate based on race, ethnicity or religion. This is bigger than basketball.”
While the Nets have spoken out against it, the team allowed him to play hours after he sent out the tweet.
On Thursday night, Irving played 42 minutes and tallied 39 points in a 129-125 loss against the Dallas Mavericks.
Additionally, Irving has had other issues off the court over the past few years.
In 2021, he missed multiple games due to “family and personal stuff.”
He reportedly teared up in a Zoom call with reporters during his absence.
And in the following season, he wasn’t allowed to appear in multiple home games because of his refusal to get vaccinated.
New York City at the time had a mandate in place for the vaccine – but new Mayor Eric Adams has lifted it.
In addition, Irving claimed that he turned down a four-year contract worth more than $100 million because of his vaccination status.
But perhaps now, given the 30-year-old’s most troubling recent action – the Nets might be relived that the extension wasn’t inked.
Irving is in the final season of his four-year $136 million-plus contract.
It’s unclear if the Nets will re-sign him, but earlier this month ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said that this will be Irving’s last season with the team and that he is “trying to go to Los Angeles.”
