Commenting publicly on his decision not to vaccinate for the first time, Irving confirmed live on Instagram on Wednesday that he still hopes to return to the field with the team.
At the same time, he stated that he would not succumb to the pressure to be vaccinated, although he emphasized that he was neither a supporter nor an opponent of the vaccines.
“Do what’s best for you, but I’m not a party advocate,” said the 29-year-old basketball player. “I do what’s best for myself,” he added.
“I am aware of the consequences, and if it means that I will be condemned and demonized, that’s just the way it is,” said the athlete.
“No, I’m not ending my career, and no, I’m not going to leave this game like this. There’s still a lot to do,” he stressed.
Irving insisted that his decision had nothing to do with the team, its organization, the NBA or politics.
“It’s not about that. It’s about the freedom to do what I want,” he said.
Restrictions on the Covid-19 pandemic in New York and San Francisco require NBA basketball players, the Knicks, Nets, and Warriors, to be vaccinated in order to participate in home games, unless medical and religious reasons make exceptions.
Although the rules prevent Irving from participating only in the Brooklyn team’s home games, the team’s management has decided that the basketball player will not join the Nets team until he can fully train and play.
“Cairy has made his choice, and we respect his right to choose,” said Seth Marx, Nets general manager.
Irving has spent the last two seasons in the “Nets” team. Last season, he scored an average of 26.9 points in 54 matches, scored 6.0 assists and won 4.8 rebounds.
The main event of the NBA 2021/2022 season will start on October 19, when “Nets” Milwaukee will play their first game of the new season against the local “Bucks” team.
