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The newest member of the Dallas Mavericks spent most of his first press conference with the team addressing the controversies that tainted his legacy back in Brooklyn.
Point guard Kyrie Irving spoke to the press for the first time since a trade from the Brooklyn Nets to Dallas was finalized.
Irving joined the team in Los Angeles ahead of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday night that will likely be the first time we see Irving in a Mavericks uniform.
A particular subject of note from that conference was Irving’s comments on a recently-deleted apology he penned after posting the link to the movie Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America on his Instagram story.
The film is based on a 2015 book of the same name, which has been described as ‘venomously anti-Semitic.’
Kyrie Irving held his first press conference as a member of the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday
The apology no longer appears on Irving’s Instagram account – with the post seemingly deleted before his move to the Mavericks.
‘I delete a lot of things on my Instagram,’ Irving responded to a question. ‘You know, I’ve had things that have happened before in my life, probably not as drastic as that moment, which led to a lot of confusion and uncertainty.
‘I felt like, I don’t know what I meant, and what I stand for. And I had to sit up in these mics and explain to the world who I am when I know who I am.
‘So, you know, I delete things all the time, and it’s no disrespect to anyone within the community, just living my life.
Irving was recently traded to the Mavericks from Brooklyn for a package of players and picks
When asked if he stands by his apology, Irving first seemed to start stepping around the question before eventually saying he does.
‘I stand by who I am and why I apologized,’ Irving began. ‘And I did it because I care about my family and I have Jewish members of my family that care for me deeply.
‘Did the media know that beforehand, when they call me that word, anti-Semitic? Nope. Did they know anything about my family? No, everything was assumed. Everything was put out before I had anything to say.
‘And I reacted, instead of responding emotionally, maturely. I didn’t mean to be defensive or go at anybody. So I stand by my apology and I stand by my people everywhere, all walks of life, all races, all religions, same thing.’
Irving practiced with his new teammates for the first time on Tuesday before a game tomorrow
Irving was then asked if he had conversations with those Jewish members of his family and if or how the film hurt them.
‘I’ve had a lot of conversations about world history,’ Irving said. ‘What … was contained in there was contained in there. I didn’t agree with everything.
‘I’ve been up here saying that. I’m just gonna leave it at that. My family is my family.
‘If the media cared about my family, and actually … I’m not saying all the media don’t want to get at anybody … but specific media members actually cared to do research, instead of being the first to report things and they would know where I come from…
‘The diversity of my family is beautiful and I just kinda continue to focus in on them. When I’m on the court… try not to be distracted by y’all.’
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn wished the outgoing Kyrie Irving well after his trade to the Mavs
Irving took the court with his teammates for the first time on Tuesday – as the Mavericks practiced before their game against the Clippers on Wednesday.
Irving said that he felt, ‘very disrespected at times’ during his time in Brooklyn – adding that people didn’t talk about his ‘work ethic’ as much.
His former head coach Jacque Vaughn wished Irving well with his new team and hopes he continues to develop and grow as a person.
‘I’ve also seen him grow as an individual and be a better teammate than when I first met him,’ said Vaughn, who worked with Irving for more than three seasons.
‘So for me, I’m going to always look at the good in people and want the good in people. And I want him to succeed. He’s no longer with us, but I appreciate his time.’
