Kyrie Irving, Nets’ all-star is unvaccinated and will be unable to participate in any of Brooklyn’s home games due to a New York City vaccination requirement for numerous indoor venues.
Except for Sean Marks’ remark Tuesday that a “few” of players would not be allowed to play under New York City’s rules if the season started this week, he was certain that everyone would be in compliance by Opening Night on October 19.
Of course, since then, FOX Sports’ Yaron Weitzman has reported that Kyrie Irving is part of that “pair.”
Will things be clearer on Monday?
However, with Media Day on Monday, it’s fair to anticipate things to become clearer when players meet with members of the national and local press.
It’s unclear how much Irving will say. According to reports, he considers his choice not to be stabbed a personal one.
Indeed, as of Sunday morning, it seems like Media Day will provide a definite update on the Nets’ general compliance with the municipal regulations — which the NBA supports — as well as on Irving.
Marks’ optimism shown on Tuesday may yield fruit before Opening Night. The Nets want to get this out of the way as soon as possible to concentrate on training camp, which starts Tuesday in San Diego, and the season, which begins in less than a month.
In the meanwhile, they’ll have to cope with the newest round of Irving and vaccination tales.
Irving would not seek a religious exemption from New York and NBA regulations, according to Matt Sullivan, author of “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” a book about the Nets’ reconstruction.
According to the regulations that have been in place since earlier this month, unvaccinated players are not allowed to play, practice, or participate in “team activities” in the city. (The Knicks have received all of their vaccinations.)
Kyrie Irving expects the league to change its mind
Instead, according to Sullivan, Irving wants to wait out the process in the hopes that he — and others — may persuade the league to change its mind. He’s willing to miss some games if that isn’t the case.
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Kyrie’s aunt, Tyki Irving, who manages the seven-time All-family Star’s foundation and is one of the few individuals in his regular circle of advisers, adds, “There are so many other players outside of him who are opting out, I would like to believe they would find a way.”
Tyki Irving also spoke with Sullivan about her nephew’s views on vaccinations and his emotions about the pressure that would inevitably be placed on him.
Irving’s aunt Tyki adds, “He’ll attempt to figure it out as it comes, since it’s not religious, it’s moral-based.”
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