LeBron James condemns Kyrie Irving for posting antisemitic material: ‘What he said was harmful to a lot of people’ | NBA News

NBA superstar LeBron James has condemned Kyrie Irving for posting anti-Semitic messages on social media.

The Brooklyn Nets suspended Irving for at least five games without pay and Nike suspended their relationship with the player.

Irving belatedly apologized for sharing an anti-Semitic documentary.

After playing for the LA Lakers against Utah Jazz on Friday, James spoke out against Irving’s conduct, saying, “It doesn’t matter what color your skin is, how tall you are, or what position you’re in, if you do the promoting, soliciting or saying harmful things to any community that harms people, so I don’t respect it.

“I don’t endorse it.”

James and Irving were teammates when they were with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“I hope he understands that what he said was detrimental to a lot of people,” James continued.

“As human beings, none of us are perfect. But I hope he understands that what he did or the actions he took were harmful to a lot of people.

James confirmed that his production company refused to air an episode of The shop featuring Kanye West after he made anti-Semitic remarks on the show.

“I don’t tolerate any hatred towards any kind or race — towards Jewish communities, black communities, Asian communities,” James said.

Irving and the Nets said they would work with the Anti-Defamation League to develop inclusive educational programs to combat all forms of bigotry and anti-Semitism.

The WNBA’s Nets and New York Liberty have also committed to hosting a series of community conversations at Barclays Center in partnership with the ADL and other national civil rights organizations and local community associations.