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Diahuebs 6 Januari 2022

Still no vax, Kyrie’s back: Nets look to star guard for help

him play? He’s a master,” Open has been for allowing
Kevin Durant said. “He can Novak Djokovic entry with
score 60%, 70% of his shots a medical exemption despite
if you don’t guard him, and questions about whether he
he’s a high IQ player.” was vaccinated, which was
supposed to be required so
For sure, Irving’s talent is he could defend his title.
undeniable. He averaged a
career-best 26.9 points last The Nets couldn’t win with-
season, becoming the ninth out Irving last season, falling
player in NBA history to to Milwaukee in the Eastern
shoot at least 50% from the Conference semifinals af-
field, 40% from 3-point ter he sprained his ankle in
range and 90% from the free Game 4. It’s unclear if they
throw line. can win with Irving, who has
a history of injuries and took
But there’s still matters of a leave of absence from the
chemistry and continuity that team for personal reasons last
championship clubs crave, season.
and the Nets will be trying
to establish it with essentially He’s spent this one collect-
two teams: one on the road ing a portion of his $35 mil-
with Irving and one at home lion salary not to play, forfeit-
without him. ing checks for the games he
made himself ineligible for,
(AP) — Kyrie Irving might unvaccinated. The vaccine The Nets are banking that Ir- but getting paid for the road
be just the jolt the Brook- is mandated for New York Unvaccinated players in the ving’s close relationship with games the Nets barred him
lyn Nets need to escape a City athletes playing in pub- NBA are subject to almost- Durant, along with a roster of from. He’s popped up occa-
midseason slump. lic venues. He has said refus- daily testing (the exception veterans such as James Hard- sionally on his social media
ing it was what’s best for him being off days without a en, LaMarcus Aldridge and platforms or as a spectator at
It looks like they’ll find out and that he was aware there game, practice or travel) and Blake Griffin will smooth Seton Hall games, but hasn’t
Wednesday night at Indiana. would be consequences. more stringent requirements, what could normally be a been playing against NBA
such as not being able to dine bumpy transition. competition.
After being held out of the But he can play in road games with teammates and addi-
team’s first 35 games because in the cities where there is tional social-distancing rules “I think that they have a ma- There hasn’t been time to get
he refused to get vaccinated no mandate, including all —even covering where their ture enough group, an expe- as much work as hoped when
against the coronavirus, Ir- the upcoming ones during lockers can be in relation to rienced enough group to kind he came back, as he went into
ving is set to make his highly a stretch that has the Nets their teammates. of understand the dynamics health and safety protocols
anticipated season debut. away for seven of their next of the business of basketball, on Dec. 18, the day after his
11 games. “I knew the consequenc- along with the rules that are return was announced.
Coach Steve Nash was still es,” Irving said last week of in place that made the situ-
finalizing plans for how the Irving’s situation is rare in his vaccination decision. “I ation what it is,” Clippers But on a team that’s show-
guard will be used. professional sports. wasn’t prepared for them, assistant coach Brian Shaw ing flaws, whatever Irving
by no stretch of imagination said. “So, they’ll make the can provide — whenever he
“He could definitely start,” The NBA has said 97% of its coming into the season.” most of it.” can provide it — should solve
Nash said after the Nets’ players are fully vaccinated — some problems.
morning shootaround. “I which would basically mean Even though he just recently That’s what the Nets were
think he could play a full no more than 15 players in started practicing for the first counting on when they re- “Obviously we love to have
chunk of minutes. He’s had the league are unvaccinated, time since training camp, the versed their decision last Kyrie back. He’s a special,
three or four full-court days Irving presumably among Nets are confident Irving’s month and announced that special talent,” James Harden
so I think he can play extend- them. That is consistent entrance can only be a posi- Irving would join them for said. “But there’s things that
ed minutes.” with other sports leagues; the tive. practices and road games. we need to correct internally
NFL said in mid-December They were criticized for do- and individually that can help
Irving has been unable to play that about 95% of its play- “I mean, have you watched ing so — as the Australian us, and then adding Kyrie
at home and for much of the ers are vaccinated, and the
season because of New York NHL touts a 99% rate with
City’s vaccination mandate no more than four players
and was unwelcome on the unvaccinated.
road. The Nets didn’t want a
part-time player, so sent him As of last month, the NBA
away during the preseason. said two-thirds of players
were also boosted, a figure
Things changed. Nash said that has likely risen in recent
with the recent COVID-19 weeks given constant urging
outbreak that left the Nets from the league and the Na-
severely short-handed, hav- tional Basketball Players As-
ing the superstar part-time sociation. They have pointed
was a better option than sign- to the recent surge in virus-
ing more players to 10-day related issues as proof that
hardship contracts. boosters are absolutely criti-
cal to keeping the league go-
“So why not bring him ing.
back?” Nash said.
“ Boosters are highly effec-
The Nets have lost three tive,” NBA Commissioner
straight, all at home, and Adam Silver told ESPN last
there’s nothing Irving can month.
do about the Nets’ struggles
in Brooklyn if he remains ADVERTISEMENT