Brooklyn player accepts suspension a few days before the start of the season, but is ready for action and dreams of another title – “It's about my life”
The suspended NBA star Kyle Irving showed understanding a few days before the start of the season that, as a non-Covid vaccine, he currently has no place in the Brooklyn Nets. Although he could lose over 17 million dollars as a result in the coming season, he stands by his decision, Irving said in a live conversation on Instagram. “It's about my life. I made that decision and I would ask you to respect it,” said the 29-year-old.
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving says he understands the career and financial implications of his decision not to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and that he is willing to stand up for what he believes in.
– Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 14, 2021
The Brooklyn Nets announced on Tuesday that they would do without Kyrie Irving for the time being. The 29-year-old would not take part in training or games until further notice. This decision applies until Irving meets the requirements to be a “full participant” of the team again, explained General Manager Sean Marks in a statement.
The City of New York City requires indoor athletes to be vaccinated against the coronavirus in order to do their job. Irving, an avowed vaccine skeptic, has apparently not yet provided this. The development player had “made a personal decision,” said the Nets statement. You respect this, but it limits his ability to be a full-time member of the team. Brooklyn is one of the favorites for the title with Kevin Durant and James Harden.
He will try to stay in shape and thus ready for eventual missions, says Irving. “I want to stay part of the whole. It's not political. It's not about the NBA or any other organization. It's about my life and my decisions,” said the teammate of Kevin Durant and James Harden. He therefore continues to follow his dream of being able to win another NBA title after 2016 (with Cleveland, note) and will not resign under any circumstances.
“Not a vaccine opponent”
Irving understands that vaccination is essential in New York right now. He is neither an opponent nor a proponent of vaccinations. “And I don't want to lose money or give up my job and the dream of another title,” he said. “It's all about the decision that is the best for you and that you stand by it.”
The season of the National Basketball Association starts next Tuesday, among others with the Austrian Jakob Pöltl at the San Antonio Spurs. The vaccination status of several NBA players is unknown.
