Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr speaks out on Kyrie Irving controversy: ‘Words matter’

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has claimed society needs to be more vigilant over hate speech and urged everyone to think before they ‘just throw stuff out there’ in the wake of the controversy over Kyrie Irving’s ‘anti-Semitic’ tweet.

The Brooklyn Nets guard sparked controversy last week after he posted a link to the Amazon page for a 2018 film, titled ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America’, which was based on a book of the same name that has been described as ‘venomously anti-Semitic’. 

Irving, 30, initially refused to back down or offer an apology until the franchise eventually suspended him Thursday night and he finally released a statement saying he was ‘deeply sorry’.  

Defending NBA champion Golden State’s coach, Kerr, weighed in on the issue that has dominated the sport over the past week, insisting that society must be more ‘vigilant’ towards hate speech. 

During a press conference Thursday, Kerr initially declined to comment on the situation, saying he was ‘going to have to sit that one out’ when asked about Irving. 

However, he did later address the issue as ESPN’s Kendra Andrews eventually coaxed more out of him. 

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr (left) spoke out on the Kyrie Irving (right) controversy

He said: ‘Words matter. Words really, really matter. And in a modern society with social media, the way things can fan across the globe exponentially – you know, five million hits immediately – every comment matters, everything you say matters. 

‘We have to be more vigilant as a society, we can’t just be accepting comments that are so destructive and insulting to people. 

‘Whether you’re a professional athlete or not, it’s crucial that everybody thinks before they just throw stuff out there that can be so damaging.’ 

Irving had been criticized for his lack of an apology with even NBA commissioner Adam Silver slamming the player for failing to say sorry for sharing ‘vile and harmful anti-Semitic material’ online.

Furthermore, the Anti-Defamation league rejected a proposed $500,000 donation from Irving, saying he ‘feels no accountability for his actions.’ 

Irving finally said he was sorry for the inflammatory tweet in a statement on Thursday, but only after he got his minimum five-game ban from the Nets.

The Brooklyn Nets star caught the attention for publicizing the 2018 film which is based on a book of the same name that has been described as ‘venomously anti-Semitic’

However, while Nets general manager Sean Marks acknowledged the apology was a ‘step in the right direction’, it is not enough to end Irving’s five-game suspension. 

‘Actions speak louder than words,’ Marks told reporters Friday. ‘So he’s had some time, and there will be more time to reflect on this.’

‘There is going to be some remedial steps and measures that are put in place for him to, honestly, seek some counselling, designated by the team, from dealing with some anti hate and some Jewish leaders within our community,’ Marks continued. 

The 30-year-old guard has been suspended by the Brooklyn Nets for at least five games 

Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks speaks during a press conference before an NBA basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday

‘He’s gonna have to sit down with them, he’s gonna have to sit down with the organization afterwards. Ands we’ll evaluate and see if this is the right opportunity to bring him back.’

Marks also said he has not considered releasing Irving.

Since posting the Amazon link to the film on Twitter, Irving has quarreled with media, telling reporters ‘I’m not going to stand down on anything that I believe in.’ He then appeared to backtrack on Sunday by deleting the post without an explanation.