Kyrie Irving was separated from Nets for not getting vaccinated and will not be able to play or train in the NBA

The landscape has changed in the NBA. Brooklyn Nets just announced that he will separate Kyrie Irving until it is “fully enabled”, That is, receive the vaccine against COVID-19. The point guard is one of the few players who was against the inoculation arguing “personal issues or beliefs”. With this, the franchise will have to face the regular season without one of its top stars, hurting its chances of winning a championship in the NBA.

Through a statement, Sean Marks, GM of Brooklyn Nets, reported that the franchise made the decision to prohibit Kyrie Irving let it be part of the team until it is fully enabled. As they argue, they will not allow any element of the team to be a “part-timer” (work part-time), since they are “building champion team chemistry” and no “they want to hurt their chances in the regular season”.

Similarly, they stated the following: “Kyrie has made a decision (not to get vaccinated) and we respect her right to decide about her life. Unfortunately, that decision prevents him from being fully enabled to play”.

In the same statement they reported that Irving You will not be able to play or practice with the team until it is fully enabled, that is, you can play in all stadiums without having any restrictions. The only way to achieve this is for you to agree to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

As it is remembered, there was a debate about his situation, since the state of New York was not going to allow him to enter the Barclays Center because he was not vaccinated; however, he could play away in some states. Coach Steve Nash and the entire team would have considered playing with Irving only as a visitor, although this would completely damage the reputation of the NBA.

For now, there is no official pronouncement on the part of Kyrie Irving. The closest thing to this was in the media day 10 days ago, when the point guard dodged all questions about his position on the vaccine, asking that they respect his privacy.

The former Boston Celtics was active on social media, interacting with posts stating that vaccines “represent a plan to connect brown-skinned people to a computer.” In the same way, he was also interacting with publications about his religion, since Irving is committed to Islam.

Secondly, Irving has used his Twitter account to leave controversial messages such as “I’m protected by God and my people, let’s stay together” O “I have taken off the mask, now you take it off. Do not be afraid”. With this, he has hinted that he will not change his opinion about his position on the vaccine, leaving a great unknown about his future in the NBA.

Is it mandatory to get vaccinated to play in the NBA?

Vaccination was a recurring theme in the media day of the NBA 10 days ago, when several reporters consulted the players about their situation regarding the inoculation. As reported by the NBA, more than 90% of the players have received their two doses and are “fully enabled” to play this season, but is it mandatory to get vaccinated?

Taking into account that the NBA It is a private organization, they have been able to establish an imposition around the vaccine; however, it is not specified in the wellness manual. However, not having received both doses greatly limits the actions of the players, such as not being able to go out to public places, having their lockers separated from the rest of the team, not being able to attend the dinners of the entire campuses, wearing masks at all times, walking away from those who are vaccinated, among others.

While not required, the NBA It is governed by state regulations and there are impositions there. In some states, not having received the vaccine prevents you from attending stadiums, so they would be disabled for a large number of games during the season.

Given this, the league ruled and stated that players who miss matches because they have not been vaccinated would not receive the payments corresponding to those matches.

Undoubtedly, the pressure exerted by the NBA Around the vaccine has been great, but always prioritizing the common good. As indicated by the league, this would reduce the risks in the stadiums and each time they could get much closer to the “old normal”. For now, having a high percentage of vaccinated has allowed the public to return and the matches to develop normally in all stadiums of the NBA.