Nets’ Kyrie Irving says he’s not retiring, explains why he’s choosing not to receive COVID-19 vaccine

The Kyrie Irving saga continued on Wednesday evening, when the Brooklyn Nets guard went on Instagram Dwell to debate his present state of affairs. Most notably, Irving confirmed that he’s unvaccinated, stated that he won’t be retiring and claimed that he was promised an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Earlier this week, the Nets introduced that Irving will not be allowed to participate with the team as a part-time player. Citing a need to construct chemistry and “stay true to our long-established values of togetherness and sacrifice,” the Nets stated Irving “won’t play or observe with the workforce till he’s eligible to be a full participant.”

Irving is unvaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, and beneath New York Metropolis’s present well being mandates, which means he wouldn’t be allowed to play within the Nets’ residence video games at Barclays Middle. He was in a position to observe with the workforce after their facility was deemed an workplace constructing, and beneath the NBA‘s guidelines, may doubtlessly play in most street video games. The Nets, nonetheless, determined to not accommodate him in that method. 

Irving’s standing may change if he decides to get the COVID-19 vaccine, however based mostly on his feedback on Instagram, it does not seem that he’ll be doing so anytime quickly. 

“It is actuality that, , with the intention to be in New York Metropolis, with the intention to be on a workforce, I’ve to be vaccinated,” Irving stated. “I selected to be unvaccinated, and that was my alternative. And I might ask y’all simply to respect that alternative, and I’m gonna simply proceed to remain in form, be able to play, be able to rock out with my teammates, and simply be a part of this complete factor.”

However whereas Irving doesn’t seem open to receiving the vaccine himself at the moment, he’s supportive of those that have and clarified that his determination is “not about being anti-vax.” Moreover, he’s not planning on retiring over the problem. 

“And no I am not retiring and no I am not leaving this sport like this,” Irving stated. “There’s nonetheless a lot extra work to do and there is nonetheless so many different youngins to encourage. As a result of I do know they need to be higher than me. And I am unable to wait to play in opposition to all y’all on this stage.”

Irving additionally claimed at one level that he was promised he would obtain an exemption from the vaccine, and thought he would have the ability to play this season. 

“And I do not need to sit right here and play on folks’s feelings, both,” Irving stated. “Simply use logic. You recognize, what would you do? You recognize, in case you felt uncomfortable going into the season, if you have been promised that you’d have exemptions or that you did not have to be compelled to get the vaccine. You recognize, this wasn’t a problem earlier than the season began. This wasn’t one thing that I foresaw coming in the place I ready for it and I had an opportunity to strategize on what was going to be greatest for me and my household. I got here into the season pondering that I used to be simply gonna have the ability to play ball, , have the ability to use my expertise to proceed to encourage, affect folks in the proper approach.”

Additional particulars on what kind of exemption Irving was anticipating usually are not clear. Earlier within the offseason, Golden State Warriors ahead Andrew Wiggins utilized for a spiritual exemption, however was denied by the league and later went on to get the COVID-19 vaccine. 

This complete state of affairs is clearly not preferrred for the Nets, who’re hoping to avenge final season’s loss within the second spherical of the playoffs and compete for a championship this season. Irving was anticipated to be a giant a part of that, and it is now attainable he will not play for all of them season. 

“We have now to be tighter,” coach Steve Nash said earlier this week. “We have now to be extra linked, now we have to have guys play greater roles and be extra accountable with the main points. Nobody’s gonna are available in and imitate Kyrie, so how we will make up for his loss as greatest as attainable? And that is by the main points, by all of the collective work we do, and from us coming collectively and actually constructing a workforce.”