By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Kyrie Irving has returned to the Brooklyn Nets but he has remained unvaccinated and thus will be able to play only on the road, and not in all road games either.
That might be frustrating for a squad to have a teammate in and out of the lineup, however, Kevin Durant noted that it doesn’t bother the team and they’re all focusing on their job, regardless of what Irving decides.
“I told him how important he is, how much I want him to play — play every game. But I’m not about to force somebody to get a vaccine, like that’s not my thing. So he can play basketball? Nah, I’m not about to do that,” KD said and added.
“We’ve had conversations about wanting him to be a part of the team and conversations about him being here full-time, but that’s on his time. Whatever decision he want to make, he’s going to make. It’s on us to be professionals no matter what, and do our jobs. All of us — from the owner down to the equipment manager — so whenever he ready, he’ll be ready.”
He also didn’t require an explanation from Kyrie.
“I haven’t even asked for an explanation. It ain’t my place I don’t think. So I’m ready for whatever, that’s been my whole mentality. Whatever happens in this situation, I got to still be me, still go out there and represent the way I represent. I’m supporting whatever my team needs me to do, wants to do.”
“It’s a weird situation, who knows? I don’t understand most of this s—. COVID, all of this stuff has been crazy the last few years. So me, I just try to stay centered and focus on me. When Kyrie’s ready to make decisions for himself he will, and I trust that.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo was also asked about it and what he would do if it was the case with the Bucks. The Greek Freak had a similar mindset.
“When it comes to basketball, I feel like I can talk to them. When it comes to a personal decision like that, it’s … I’ve got to let them make their decision. They’re grown men. You know, and every situation is different. I cannot pressure somebody to do something that he doesn’t feel comfortable doing. I can tell you why I did it. Why I felt comfortable doing it. To protect my family, to protect my mom and stuff, stay safe, and you just hope he understands that. But if he doesn’t want to do it, I can’t keep pressuring him.”
“I’ve got to focus on myself and come every day and do my job, because that’s what I get paid to do. I don’t know what relationship they have, what kind of relationship they have. They probably have talked to him but they cannot keep on pressuring him to do something he doesn’t feel comfortable because it takes so much energy and takes energy away from basketball. That’s why we’re here.”