The Utah Jazz matchup with the Dallas Mavericks could have turned ugly for the latter. Rabbi Avremi Zippel, a prominent Jewish rabbi in Utah, came bearing gifts for Kyrie Irving. Still carrying a grudge for Irving’s controversial antisemitic comments in 2022, Zippel and his colleagues came to the game with signs that said, “I am a Jew and I am proud”.

The security in the arena had asked the squad to take the signs down as it interfered with the game. But Rabbi Zippel is confident that Irving was behind the incident.

Kyrie Irving denies the Utah Rabbi’s claims

Responding to the allegations, Kyrie denied doing or saying anything that contributed to it. “I wish him and his family well. No disrespect going their way. That’s not my MO.”

As detailed by Zippel in his X (formerly known as Twitter) account and in the interview given to the Salt Lake Tribune, he is adamant that the 2016 NBA champion was the first to initiate contact. Having passed through security checks with the “distractive” signs, nobody had mentioned or stopped the group to question them.

Trending

Shaquille O’Neal Reveals Retirement Plans as Inside the NBA Crew Prepare for Uncertain Future With TNT

May 20, 2024 01:00 PM EDT

“I Can Be Replaced”: Shaq Drops Cryptic Note Online As Absence From TNT Live Show Confuses America

May 20, 2024 01:32 AM EDT

Shaquille O’Neal, Tempted by Elon Musk’s Tesla Creation, Offers $159,999 Worth Trade to 30YO Comedian

May 19, 2024 06:38 AM EDT

“Jordan Slipping Him Cash”: Fans Join In as Magic Johnson Slams Stephen A. Smith for Leaving Isiah Thomas Out of His List

May 18, 2024 03:30 PM EDT

Replaced by Shaquille O’Neal and $14 Million Worth TNT Deal, Here Are the Former “Inside the NBA” Analysts

May 20, 2024 12:35 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

It was only after ‘Uncle Drew’ noted the sign that the rest of the procedures took place. A hardcore Jazz fan, Zippel had later commented that he was disappointed in the franchise for the first time. It’s clear that the incidents of February 2022 cut this rabbi deep.

Irving’s controversial year of 2022

The 8x NBA All-Star’s stint with the Brooklyn Nets has been a slew of controversies. From his defiant stand to not get vaccinated to the anti-semitic post that resulted in a five-game unpaid suspension. A quarter of Brooklyn’s population constitutes Jews.

Read More: Kyrie Irving Asked to “Just Focus On Basketball” by Frustrated Ex-Brooklyn Nets Star

And for Irving to post a link to a documentary that’s considered as being anti-semitic while he is a Nets member proved to be counter-productive. When asked to take the offending post down and apologize to the Jewish community, he stood his ground. During this time, Nike terminated their contract with him. At a later stage, Irving complied with the request, apologizing for his insensitivity in the process.

Zippel had also brought this to the forefront when he said that Kyrie’s comments from then were “vile” and “disgusting”. Suffice it to say, Kyrie Irving might have just dodged a bullet right there.

Watch This Story: Letting ‘Frustrated’ Kyrie Irving off the Hook, Jason Kidd Takes the Blame for Mavs Star’s Misers vs Grizzlies