Kyrie Irving declined to offer any details on his vaccination status or his plans going forward when asked about the subject on Monday. However, sources believe that the Nets guard will ultimately take the COVID-19 vaccine, says Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports.
According to Goodwill, those sources believe that Irving’s teammate – and good friend – Kevin Durant will help influence that decision. If Kyrie remains unvaccinated and doesn’t receive an exemption from the city of New York, he’d be ineligible to play in the team’s home games, which likely wouldn’t go over especially well with Durant and the rest of Irving’s Nets teammates.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said today that the team will make a decision on its 15th roster spot after the preseason, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News (Twitter link). The team has 14 players on guaranteed contracts, plus Luca Vildoza on a non-guaranteed contract, so Thibodeau’s comments suggest Vildoza certainly isn’t locked into that spot. The Argentine guard, who is coming off a right foot injury, is still in a walking boot, according to Thibodeau.
- Charles Bassey‘s new three-year deal with the Sixers is worth the minimum and is fully guaranteed in year one, reports Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link). As previously reported, year two is partially guaranteed, while year three is non-guaranteed. Bassey’s first-year salary ($925,258) and his second-year guarantee ($74,742) add up to exactly $1MM in total guaranteed money, which is almost certainly less than he sought, but isn’t bad at all for a No. 53 pick.
- The Sixers issued a press release today confirming the previously-reported hire of assistant coach Jamie Young and announcing a few more coaching changes for the 76ers and the Delaware Blue Coats, Philadelphia’s G League affiliate. Dwayne Jones has been promoted to assistant coach/skill development at the NBA level, while Coby Karl will coach the G League team.
- We passed along several Raptors-related items earlier this afternoon.
I mean if he wasn’t in the building(during media day) he obviously isn’t vaccinated.
Kyrie just wants attention. This is his way of being more relevant that KD or Harden. NBA should ban all players or workers, staff. Who aren’t vaccinated. This is a business that relies on huge crowds. On having very close contact at work. They don’t get vaccinated they do t play they don’t get paid. It’s simple.
For all those who think Fournier is soft. He’s just what Knicks need shooter/scorer. And he’s tough raised by Judo champs. He’ll be able to handle NYC. That’s good news.
link to nypost.com
You are so right, Knickerbocker Al! I was very distressed to hear the Celtics let Evan Fournier go, wouldn’t pay up. Tough road from Algeria to France to Orlando. Giving back too, 2 kids! Consistent professional big time scorer; just came into his own! Last two games at Orlando were out of this world. Got covid on way to Boston, never had a chance with the Celtics. Still came thru big in playoffs. Was very open to staying in Boston. Hate Celtics are so cheap!
I just don’t care about his stupid vaccine status.
I thought Fournier showed his scoring in Orlando. IMO he’s peaking now. So I think it was a good investment. Knicks will have to do it by depth. Knick fans are not expecting anything but the playoffs. We’ll see what happens when we get there. Knicks are better this year. But might not be a top 4 team. It’s great just watching them become a better team. And Thibs is the guy who will lead us there. We have a lot of players with something to prove. Chips on their shoulders. NYers work hard so we love that. Mitch is a guy who is ready for next level. He can anchor the D. And with Noel in we lose nothing. Knicks are all about Team. We have to make our offense work this yr.
Trust In Thibs
link to empiresportsmedia.com
Knicks do ……. Let’s do this