Wizards' Deni Avdija, NBA's only Jewish player, speaks out on Kyrie Irving: 'Needs to be consequences'

Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija is believed to be the NBA’s lone Jewish player and on Friday night he broke his silence on the Kyrie Irving saga.

Irving was suspended for at least five games and reportedly must meet a number of prerequisites to return to the floor as he initially failed to adequately apologize for sharing a movie on his social media account that promotes antisemitic disinformation.

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Brooklyn suspended Irving before their game against the Wizards. Avdija, who is from Israel, spoke out about the situation.

"[Irving] is a role model, he’s a great player. I think he [made] a mistake. But you need to understand that he gives [an] example to people. People look up to him," he said, via the New York Post.

LEBRON JAMES SHARES THOUGHTS ON KYRIE IRVING, SAYS HE ‘CAUSED SOME HARM TO A LOT OF PEOPLE’

"You can think whatever you want, you can do whatever you want. I don’t think it’s right to go out in public and publish it, and let little kids that follow you see it, and the generation to come after to think like that. Because it’s not true. And I don’t think it’s fair. Hopefully, he’s sorry for what he said.

"I think there needs to be consequences for the actions that a player [does]. I don’t know the punishment that the league gives, but I think that needs to be known that there’s no room for words like that."

Irving apologized after he was formally suspended. His relationship with Nike was also paused.

‘No Cure’: Duran Duran Guitarist Andy Taylor Reveals He Has Stage 4 Prostate Cancer

Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer.

Taylor’s presence was missed during Duran Duran’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, with his bandmates noting his health issues in an acceptance speech he wrote for the event.

“Just over four years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and of course, we are no different; so I speak from the perspective of a family man but with profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have and this exceptional accolade,” Taylor wrote, according to the full speech text posted to the band’s website. “Although my current condition is not immediately life threatening there is no cure,” he added.

“I’m truly sorry and massively disappointed I couldn’t make it. Let there be no doubt I was stoked about the whole thing, even bought a new guitar with the essential whammy!” he added. “I’m so very proud of these four brothers; I’m amazed at their durability, and I’m overjoyed at accepting this award. I often doubted the day would come. I’m sure as hell glad I’m around to see the day.”

Lead singer Simon Le Bon also shared his personal thoughts backstage after the band’s performance.

“It is devastating to us to find out that a colleague — not a colleague, that’s the whole thing; a mate, a friend, one of our family — is not going to be around for very long. It is absolutely devastating. We love Andy dearly and I’m not going stand here and cry — I think that would be inappropriate — but that’s how I feel like,” Le Bon said.

Duran Duran launched in 1978, with Taylor joining in 1980. The band’s first hit single was the 1981 song “Girls on Film” from their self-titled album.

The band continued with a line of hits during the 1980s, including its most famous songs, “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “New Moon on Monday.” Their song “A View to a Kill” also served as the soundtrack to the James Bond movie of the same name.

Taylor played in the band until 1985 and again from 2001 to 2006. He also was part of the group Power Station with fellow Duran Duran bass guitarist John Taylor.

The guitarist also released a new solo single last week called “Man’s a Wolf to Man.” The song is from Taylor’s second solo album of original material, which BMG scheduled for release in Spring 2023.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honored other artists during the Saturday event. Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eminem, the Eurythmics, and Carly Simon were among the other inductees.

The induction ceremony will be aired on HBO and HBO Max at a future date, according to People magazine.

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