Say this about Kyrie Irving. He’s a talented player, but with that talent comes so much drama it makes you wonder if he’s worth it.
His current team, the Brooklyn Nets have determined that right now, he’s not worth the bother.
They announced Tuesday that Irving will not be able to practice, lift weights, watch film, or eat lunch with the team until he is vaccinated for COVID-19. The mandate in NYC means he could not play any home games un-vaccinated, so the team basically said we’ll see you when you get the shot. If you get the shot.
Here’s part of what GM Sean Marks said in a release.
“Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability. It is imperative that we continue to build chemistry as a team and remain true to our long-established values of togetherness and sacrifice.
”Our championship goals for the season have not changed, and to achieve these goals each member of our organization must pull in the same direction. We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make the borough of Brooklyn proud.”
Marks said he and the team owner made the decision, not Kevin Durant, although KD was consulted.
As for whether Irving will be paid while he’s not playing, he will miss out on game checks from home games in Brooklyn. If he skips the whole season, that’s almost $20 million.
There are very few fans of the Nets or the NBA who aren’t completely bored with the Irving saga, and now it’s on hold until he decides to get vaccinated.
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