Kyrie Irving, the name of the moment in the NBA, has decided to break his silence. He has done it in a live broadcast on his social networks to explain his firm decision not to be vaccinated and to talk about his future in the Brooklyn Nets, the franchise to which it belongs and that has decided to separate the player as long as he does not receive the corresponding dose, and in the world of basketball.
This is not about a political or NBA issue. Not even from the Nets. This is about my life and what I choose to do “
The point guard made it clear in his intervention that he hopes to be able to return to the courts and do it with the uniform of the New York franchise, but he is clear that he will not do it at any cost: “This is about my life and what I choose to do. It’s true. that to be in New York and to be on a team in this state I have to be vaccinated, but I have decided not to. It’s my choice and I ask everyone to respect it. “
During his intervention, Irving assured that he has not thought for a single moment about retirement and that he continues to train to “be ready to play. This is not about a political or NBA issue. Not even about the Nets. This is about me. life and what I choose to do. ”
Do you really think I want to lose money? Do you really think I want to deliver my dream of winning a championship? Do you really think that I want to sit at home? Let’s go…”
The seven-time all-star point guard stated that he still has a lot of basketball on his hands and that this episode is not the end of a career in which they already sport an NBA ring, an All Star MVP and a Rookie of the Year trophy: “This is not about money. This has to do with choosing what is best for each one. Do you really think I want to lose money? Do you really think I want to give up my dream of winning a championship? Do you really think I want to give up and finish with my job? Do you really think I want to sit at home? Do you think I want to give up my support by mandate? Come on … “.
I support and respect everyone’s decision. I have not hurt anyone or committed any crime “
Irving also wanted to clarify his position on vaccines and medicine with a message in which he claimed to agree with both parties: “I’m going to stand firm in what I believe. It’s as simple as that. It has nothing to do with being anti-vaccine or being on one side or the other. It is feeling that you are really doing what is best for you. If I’m going to be demonized for asking more questions and taking my time deciding, then that’s what it is. I know the consequences to my decisions, I am not going to sugarcoat them. I am on the side of those who have lost their jobs for this term and I am on the side of those who have chosen to be vaccinated and have chosen to be safe. I support and respect everyone’s decision. I have not harmed anyone or committed any crime. “
“This is my life and they are telling me what to do with my body. This has to do with everything that is happening in the world today. And I am involved in something that is much bigger than basketball. No one is going to kidnap this voice. And no, I am not retiring. I’m not leaving the game like that. There is still a lot of work to do, “concluded the base in his speech while deciding what will be the next step in this particular battle that he has decided to fight.
The Nets move tab
A war that can have very serious economic consequences for an Irving who has a contract with the Brooklyn Nets for $ 35 million this season and a player option for another 36 million for the coming year while he negotiates his future with the New York franchise.
A renovation that right now seems impossible, according to the journalist Shams Charania which ensures that the Brooklyn team has backtracked in its decision and does not offer the player the contract extension to which he could choose: $ 186 million for four more seasons.
An astronomical amount that will be added to the 35 ‘kilos’ to stop charging if he finally does not play this season, so the sum amounts to more than $ 220 million that Irving stopped entering for choosing not to get vaccinated.
“Kyrie has made it clear that he has a choice in this matter and, ultimately, he will decide,” said general manager Sean Marks, announcing that Irving, for now, will not be with the team until he receives his dose. “We respect the fact that he has a choice, he can make his own and right now what is best for the organization is the path we are taking.”