NBA's Adam Silver -- 'No doubt' Kyrie Irving is not antisemitic

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he has "no doubt" that Irving is not antisemitic after the two had a conversation earlier this week.

Two weeks after Irving made a post that included an Amazon link to a film with antisemitic ideas, Silver talked to The New York Times. The interview took place after Silver spoke at the conference.

Irving's post received massive backlash, including the Nets suspending him for at least five games and Nike co- founder Phil Knight announcing that the shoe company's relationship with Irving is likely severed for good.

"He's someone I've known for a decade, and I've never heard an antisemitic word from him," Silver told the Times.

Whether or not he is antisemitic is irrelevant to the damage caused by the posting of hate speech.

The league and Nets were criticized for not disciplining Irving faster. Irving was suspended by the Nets after he failed to apologize during a news conference. Irving apologized in a post on the social media site.

In regards to his suspension, Silver feels that we got to the right outcome. We might have been able to get there quicker. I agree with the criticism. I felt it was important to understand the context in which it was posted so that I could understand what discipline was appropriate.

The league wanted to do some research before making a decision on how to proceed, according to Silver. The film was watched by Silver himself.

"After we did that investigation, it was clear to me that this was hate speech and we, together with the Brooklyn Nets, responded," Silver said.

The antisemitic film was hosted on Amazon's site, according to Silver.

Silver thinks that Amazon has to make decisions as well. He thought that hate speech would be contained within Amazon Prime.

Irving is eligible to return Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers, but it's not clear when the Nets will bring him back.

The Nets will make a decision on when Irving can come back.