On Monday, during a game between the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks, a group of Utah rabbis was asked to remove signs declaring “I’m a Jew and I’m proud” due to concerns about player distraction.
Rabbi Avremi Zippel, a Utah Jazz die-hard, allegedly claimed on X, formerly Twitter that Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks noticed the signs in the first quarter, leading to a request to put them away.
Avremi wrote:
“Update: Kyrie saw the signs. At the 9:40 mark of the first quarter, he commented “no need to bring that to a game.” At the next timeout he went to Mavs security. Jazz officials came over and CHECKED OUR TICKETS. We were told to put the signs away. Weak sauce from so many.”
Alongside, he reposted a picture holding, a “I’m a Jew and I’m proud” sign in front of Delta Center.
Update:
Kyrie saw the signs. At the 9:40 mark of the first quarter, he commented “no need to bring that to a game.”
At the next timeout he went to Mavs security.
Jazz officials came over and CHECKED OUR TICKETS.
We were told to put the signs away.
Weak sauce from so many… https://t.co/AzoDVczF8k
— Avremi Zippel (@UtahRabbi) January 2, 2024
In another post, Averemi Zippel shared his side of the story at the NBA game in condensed format:
I’ve posted the full details of what happened on my IG. I’m at UtahRabbi.
Condensed version 👇 https://t.co/dunWMwqE8c pic.twitter.com/fBkDH73B4W
— Avremi Zippel (@UtahRabbi) January 2, 2024
Next, the Utah Jazz issued a statement explaining that the signs displayed by the rabbis, declaring “I’m a Jew and I’m proud,” violated the team’s audience code of conduct. As per the NBA team, the code emphasizes the need for games to be played “without distraction or disturbance.”
The team clarified that during an out-of-bounds play in the first quarter of the game against the Dallas Mavericks, the signs sparked an interaction with a player, causing a distraction and interfering with the game. The statement clarified that the problem was the disruptive interaction, not the content of the signs, contrary to a “part-time employee” who inaccurately suggested an issue with the signs’ content.
To which, Rabbi Avremi Zippel posted a series of threads on Twitter expressing his grievances. Take a look:
As per ESPN’s Tim MacMohan, Irving, responding to the allegations, denied disrespect, stating, “I wish him and his family well. No disrespect going their way. That’s not my MO (Modus Operandi).”
Kyrie Irving says he made no complaint about the Utah rabbi’s sign, confirming the account of a Mavs source.
Irving: “I wish him and his family well. No disrespect going their way. That’s not my MO.” https://t.co/AxaDNLcWdz
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 4, 2024
The Utah rabbis’ actions were influenced by a 2022 controversy when Irving was suspended for promoting an antisemitic film (Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America) on X, formerly Twitter.
The movie is known for containing anti-Jewish tropes.
Irving, who initially didn’t disavow antisemitic beliefs, later apologized on Instagram, expressing regret for causing pain and acknowledging the hurtful remarks in the documentary.
“To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize,” Irving wrote. “I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary.”
Despite the apology, fallout ensued, with Nike condemning hate and antisemitism, leading to an immediate suspension of its relationship with Irving on Nov. 4.
Kyrie Irving, selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft, earned Rookie of the Year honors and went on to become an eight-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA Team member. In 2016, he played a pivotal role in the Cavaliers’ NBA championship, making the championship-winning three-point field goal in the Finals.
After a Finals appearance in 2017, Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics, where he played for two seasons before signing with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. In 2023, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
