Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Nets GM Sean Marks: Kyrie Irving apology 'not enough' to return from suspension

Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks has made it known what star Kyrie Irving must do to potentially return from his suspension. 

"After anything like this you’d always hope there is a change, a change in feelings and a change in attitude," Marks told reporters Friday, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. "Per his apology (Thursday) night, that is a step in the right direction. Again, as we stated, actions speak louder than words. The apology is a step in the right direction. It’s not enough.

"There’s going to be some remedial steps and measures that will be in place for him to obviously seek some counseling, dealing with some anti-hate and some Jewish leaders within our community. He’s going to have to sit down with them, he’s going to have to sit down with the organization after this. We will evaluate and see if this is the right opportunity to bring him back." 

The Nets confirmed Thursday night they suspended Irving without pay for at least five games after the one-time NBA champion spoke with media members earlier in the day and "refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in" a movie and book that contain antisemitic tropes that Irving previously linked to via social media.

Irving offered what the Nets apparently deemed a "too little, too late" apology via Instagram overnight: 

The Nets announced Wednesday they and Irving planned to each make donations of $500,000 "toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities." 

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt made it clear the organization wants nothing to do with such funds following Irving's comments on Thursday: 

Greenblatt has since said the ADL is now open "to direct dialogue" with Irving:

 The 2-6 Nets play at the 4-4 Washington Wizards on Friday night. 

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