There’s “renewed optimism” about the possibility of Kyrie Irving suiting up for the Nets this season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Irving hasn’t played at all in 2021/22, since he remains unvaccinated against COVID-19 and a municipal mandate in New York City prevents him from playing in home games. He’s eligible to participate in road games, but the Nets decided they didn’t want him to be a part-time player.
In order for Irving to return to action for Brooklyn, one of three things would need to happen:
- New York City would need to repeal or adjust its vaccine mandate.
- Irving would need to get vaccinated.
- The Nets would need to allow him to take part in road games.
Charania’s report doesn’t specify which of these routes is most likely. However, he notes that multiple City Hall officials – from both the outgoing and incoming NYC administrations – have told The Athletic that there are no plans to eliminate the mandate requiring individuals to be vaccinated in order to enter indoor venues.
That would leave vaccination or an adjustment to the Nets’ policy for road games as the only realistic paths for an Irving return. Charania doesn’t know which of those scenarios might come to fruition, but has heard recently from sources that Kyrie could play this season after all.
According to Charania, Irving and his good friend Kevin Durant have been talking more often as of late about his fit with the team, the Nets’ games, and life in general. There “appears to be an increased level of enthusiasm between the two superstars,” Charania adds.
This is just my speculation, but one report back in September stated there was a belief that Durant would help convince Irving to take the vaccine — perhaps that will ultimately happen a few months later.
Another recent report indicated that Irving may be interested in taking a plant-based vaccine, which is going through clinical trials, but it’s still likely months away from receiving full approval.
If Irving gets fully vaccinated, he would be eligible to play in all of Brooklyn’s home and road games. If the Nets adjust their policy and allow the star guard to play without being vaccinated, he would remain ineligible to play in home games, as well as in road games vs. the Knicks and Raptors.
So truth is he not coming . So all this is point less because one he not getting the shot and two doubt New York will change it mind . Unless they are force too and 3 only way he plays if nets let him play on the road
This is from the same report where Shams being serious was saying the Lakers were angling for Ben Simmons, so take his crack pipe rantings with a huge grain of salt.
Shams is freaking wasted this morning coming out with this nonsense.
This is a gross misrepresentation of what Shams said in The Athletic article. Simply put Shams said the Lakers are among the teams interested (including Cavs, Blazers, Kings, Pacers, T-Wolves, and Knicks), not necessarily that they are trying hard for Simmons. Of course the Lakers (and other teams too) are interested given their position and struggles defensively so while it’s unlikely the Lakers can make a deal for Simmons work, it’s not “a crack pipe rant” to say they are interested.
I know they are speculating this because he is vegan, but i thought he was antivaccine, so it doesn’t matter if the vaccine is plant-based. The biggest problem here is that he never talked in depth all his thought process to not take the vaccine, at least not in public.
This is more likely about durant trying to convince the nets to let him practice with the team and play road games.
What a drama queen!
As talented Irving is, he not only will not be 100% but he will get injured and Nets would have to pay him full instead of half of his salary. Besides, he will be a major distraction. Either he takes the vaccine or he doesnt play for Nets.
Like any business. Money and winning matters more. They’ve literally been paying him to do nothing. We all saw this coming. Kyrie was going to suit up at some point.
Option 3 it is. He plays road games. Must not be all that important, well , its not as important as winning, playoffs, and championships.
Ki is in his own world,let him stay there best for everyone
Knicks games woukd be in NYC and thus require vax, even though trchnically a ‘road game’. So would playing either LA team or the Warriors. So he could only play maybe 30 of the remaining games at best without vax.
It seems fitting that a vegetable would perhaps be willing to take a plant-based vaccine.
This whole issue will go away if everyone will just agree with him that the earth is flat, and to name the next covid variant after him.
Or, trade him to a team on his home planet with Boris the Animal (or is it “Just Boris the Animal”? I never got confirmation on that).
#LetKyriePlay
Kyrie has walked out on every team he’s ever played for. Why anyone would want to play with that. Is puzzling to me. This is a team sport. Kyrie is all about his space (Empty).
Best trade ever. The best thing that can happen this year …. Let’s do this
Ben >>>> for >>>> Kyrie
You can keep Kyrie home. Never about the vaccine always has been a selfish player. Always a headache, personal days off, mental rest day, political day off, who needs him