Why NBA Legend Does Not Think Kyrie Irving Will Learn Anything From Latest Controversy

The Brooklyn Nets have finally meted out a punishment for Kyrie Irving's antisemitic comments on social media, but NBA legend does not see it affecting the prolific guard other than the suspension being a slight hassle to his career.

On his latest Substack post, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was quick to show his support for NBA analysts Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller for keeping their comments about the enigmatic point guard straight to the point.

Abdul-Jabbar then addressed the elephant in the room–that being the people Irving hangs around with and who has been holding him accountable or a lack thereof.

"Honestly, there's little hope that he will change because he's insulated by fame and money and surrounded by yes-people. There is no motivation to learn how to distinguish propaganda from facts. All that's left is for the world to decide how it should respond to him," the league record-holder for most points throughout his career wrote.

The controversial NBA star placed himself in the furnace after he tweeted out his support for a film that is widely viewed as anti-Semitic.

Irving later commented that the movie in question, "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America", was available on Amazon Prime and that "history is not supposed to be hidden from anybody."

Moreover, Irving claimed that he is not "a divisive person when it comes to religion" before going on a long defense of his actions.

Therein lies the problem that Abdul-Jabbar pointed out as Irving's latest round of comments can swing his supporters into becoming his most ardent defenders by disguising his commentaries under the principle of free speech.

While there is nothing inherently wrong about speaking one's mind, the Nets organization finally put their foot down and announced that Irving has been suspended without pay for at least five games.

"I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day. I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility," Irving said during his apology.

But in Abdul-Jabbar's eyes, this apology was nothing more than a forced statement and said that "there was no explicit apology—which tells us everything about what he really believes."

"If he really thinks someone with millions of followers spouting hate speech is the same as Jim in accounting posting on Facebook, then he really is out of step with reality," Abdul-Jabbar later added.

The Los Angeles Lakers legend also added that Irving "has been defiant about his postings" while pointing towards the Nets guard's "long, rambling, at times contradictory, defense" when asked about his comments.

It is not surprising to hear Abdul-Jabbar outright decry Irving as he has always been one of the NBA's most vocal legends due to his own experience as someone who was also mistreated by the media during the NBA's rise in popularity back in the 70s and 80s.

With Irving being forced on the bench, the Nets will again have to rely on Kevin Durant to bring them some victories during his absence.