Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant has wanted to calm the troubled waters of his team today, stating that there is no point in getting angry at the absence of Kyrie Irving due to his refusal to receive the vaccine for COVID-19.
“I wish none of this would happen but it is the situation in which we find ourselves,” said the forward according to the media. ESPN. He’s not going to change his mind, you know what I’m saying? I cannot be angry with someone who makes a decision for himself. We’ll let him figure out what he needs to do and the team figure out what he needs to do. ‘
New York regulations include mandatory vaccination to access events held indoors, which put the player’s participation in home games for the Nets at risk. Later, the franchise itself would harden its position by sharing that Irving will not be part of the team’s discipline until he receives at least one dose.
While waiting for a resolution, the two-time NBA champion said he and the team will focus on the season that kicks off in a few days. In addition, he added that he is optimistic about a return of Irving to the team.
“We, as players, will continue to work together, in the dressing room and on the pitch. Life is amazing so I can’t be mad at someone who makes a decision for themselves. Who am I to be mad about it? We will just focus on the season. When Ky is ready, I’m sure he’ll talk to Joe (Tsai) and Sean (Marks) and they’ll figure it out. Until then we will continue working. “
Durant and the Nets will begin the 2021-22 season without Irving on October 19, the day they will visit the reigning NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks, on opening night.
(Cover photo by Maddie Malhotra / Getty Images)