SHOWING HIS BUNS — The Weekly Opine

Does Kyrie Irving know he’s as dumb as Kanye West? (Photo credit People)

Not again…

On the heels of Kanye West’s unhinged, racist, antisemitic rant, we now have NBA star Kyrie Irving foisting his ignorant racism on us. In the case of Irving, he appears to be unable to function without bringing self-inflicted controversy upon himself.

This is the same Kyrie Irving who, several years ago, boldly proclaimed the Earth is flat. Lordy. A couple of years later, Irving followed up by questioning science and the validity of Covid-19 vaccines. This man attended Duke University? Then, just last month, Irving flashed his conspiracy-believing chops when he posted a video featuring garbage content from chief conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Strike three.

Irving defended his Alex Jones post saying it was from the 1990s, about secret occult societies in America. When confronted about Jones’ sordid, time-and-again disproven Sandy Hook conspiracy, Irving rambled about “not standing with Alex Jones.” Sure.

Far from done, last Thursday, Irving tweeted a link to the Amazon page of a film containing antisemitism. According to Rolling Stone, the movie is “stuffed with antisemitic tropes.”

Displaying uncanny stupidity, Irving unsuccessfully attempted to defend what is indefensible. At a postgame press conference Irving asked, “Did I do anything illegal? Did I harm anybody?” Followed by Irving saying he’s “not going to stand down.” Irving blustered about being an Omnist which, I learned, is someone who recognizes and respects all religions. Which proves how dumb Kyrie is. If he is an Omnist he would not promote a film full of antisemitism.

As we used to say back in the day, Kyrie Irving (as did Kanye West) showed us his buns. Translation; is making an ass of himself.

Mind games

It has become popular to rationalize bad behavior by assigning blame to mental disorder or mental problems or mental issues. This happened the other day when news broke about the attack on Nance Pelosi’s husband. I heard at least one cable news pundit mention mental illness when discussing David DePape, the thug who attacked and attempted to murder Paul Pelosi.

When it comes to (L-R) David DePape, Kanye West and Kyrie Irving, there is nothing wrong with them that a lifetime in prison, ostracization from pop culture’s limelight, and getting kicked out of the NBA won’t cure. (Photos credit KRON, Billboard, The Guardian)

Certainly, and obviously, I am not a doctor. But I am growing weary (and a bit skeptical) of how often mental illness has become the go-to excuse nowadays.

That is not to impugn people like tennis star Naomi Osaka, who appeared on her way to winning at least a Baker’s Dozen of major championships. Former world #2 Osaka went public with her struggle with anxiety and depression, and now periodically takes a break from the tennis scene. Osaka’s transparency about her mental health is refreshing and inspires many people who suffer from mental disorders.

On the other hand, it seems mental health is a ready-made excuse when things do not go as planned. Some folks are quick to say, “look at me, I’m crazy” to gain sympathy. Some criminals have patented this move as have some folks who make social missteps on a grand, public scale.

This week radio host Tavis Smiley, appearing on NewsNation, launched into an impassioned semi-excuse for the behavior of Kanye West and Kyrie Irving. Smiley acknowledged West and Irving were wrong but then offered up that they need mental health assistance and leeway from sponsors distancing themselves from the two.

I may catch flak for this, but I am not buying the rush to use mental illness as air cover – certainly not for David DePape, Kanye West and Kyrie Irving. While there absolutely are people undergoing mental health crisis who need help from mental health professionals, America has a habit of going overboard and in the cases of DePape, West and Irving, assigning every irregularity to the mental disorder category is a copout.

Proving my point, yesterday Irving and the Brooklyn Nets NBA team each said they will donate $500,000 to organizations standing up against hate and intolerance. Irving, appearing to show no signs of mental illness, classically walked back his previous comments, saying he “opposes all forms of hatred” and takes responsibility for his actions. Plainly, the Nets donation is to appease public sentiment so they can keep the hugely (basketball) talented Irving on the team.

So don’t be fooled. David DePape is a vicious criminal who should never experience freedom the rest of his life. Kanye West is a dopey Uncle Tom. And, as described by NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Kyrie Irving is a buffoon.

You do not need a telescope to see the wrong doers among us. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

See no evil? C’mon man!

Irving’s employer, Brooklyn Nets team owner Joe Tsai, issued a tweet that was perfunctory. Tsai sounded like an exasperated parent, saying he’s “disappointed” and wants to “sit down and make sure [Irving] understands this is hurtful.” Babble.

The NBA also issued a statement. “Hate speech of any kind is unacceptable,” the league said. The rest of their statement was loaded with a trashcan full of routine babble.

The National Basketball Players Association offered up the kind of tame rebuke we’ve grown accustomed to when police unions respond to obvious transgressions by bad cops. The NBPA statement contained generic language such as “Anti-Semitism has no place in our society.” The NBPA statement did not call Irving out by name, but was babble piled higher and deeper, designed to placate those who are placatable (not me).

Nets General Manager Sean Marks says the team is seeking advice from the Anti-Defamation League. I am not sure what the ADL is supposed to do here. The Nets and the NBA know right from wrong. We’ve previously witnessed the league under intense pressure – from its players, coaches, owners, and fans – who were outraged when audio was discovered of ex-L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling making sickening, racist comments. Finally, the NBA forced Sterling out, banning him for life and fining him $2.5 million.

Right now, there is outrage directed at the Supreme Court, Department of Justice and January 6 Committee for accommodating Trump. There should also be outrage directed at the NBA, so long as the league accommodates Kyrie Irving.

There is only one answer to Kyrie Irving’s plainly obvious racism. Remove Irving from the NBA for life.