The Nets and point guard Kyrie Irving got some promising news today, as New York City mayor Eric Adams told reporters that he “can’t wait” to phase out the city’s COVID-19 vaccine requirements for indoor spaces.
Irving has been unable to play home games all season long due to the local regulations that apply to unvaccinated athletes, but the mayor’s comments today suggest those regulations could be adjusted in the coming weeks.
“I’m not going to get ahead of the science,” Adams said (video link via The Glue Guys). “… They gave us benchmarks. We’re going to follow those benchmarks. But I look forward to the next few weeks going through a real transformation. … We’re moving in the right direction. We’re going to do it in a safe way.”
For now, New York City’s vaccine mandate remains unchanged, so Irving will be ineligible to suit up when the Nets host Boston on Thursday night. But if the city plans to phase out the mandate within the next several weeks, that bodes well for Kyrie’s chances of suiting up in the postseason, which begins in mid-April.
Here’s more on the Nets:
- While Goran Dragic is looking forward to playing alongside stars like Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons, and Irving, his decision to sign with the Nets was ultimately influenced by his relationship with head coach Steve Nash, who assured Dragic he’d be an important part of the team, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “If it wasn’t for Nash, Dragic would be either with the Bucks or Clippers,” a source told Scotto.
- A source tells Scotto that the Nets and Joe Harris will likely make a decision on whether or not the forward needs a second ankle surgery after seeing how things go this week with his recovery process.
- His roster doesn’t look like he expected it to when the season began, but general manager Sean Marks hasn’t adjusted his expectations for the Nets, as Brian Lewis of The New York Post writes. “Championship. That’s it,” Marks said to a group of season-ticket holders. “I’d be doing 17 players and another 60 staff members over there a massive disservice if I said anything other than that, because that’s what we’re all here for.”
If not the Nets then Dragic signs with the bucks or Clippers? I wonder what happened in Miami? I thought the Heat might be his first choice?
Miami have enough talent and don’t want to mess their chemistry … Look at what happened with Klay’return and how it affects Kerr’rotation
Ok yes, I guess Lowry plays Major minutes now that we’re closing in on the end of the season and playoff time coming. Dragic probably looking at 10 minutes a game max especially with Tyler Hero running some point guard too. Makes sense what you say, thanks.
Think Dragic is a odd fit in Brooklyn.
They have Irving, Simmons, Mills and Curry kind of wanting minutes at the 1. Simmons can play the 3/4, Curry the 2 but the touches will be really limited.
Dragic is old and not good defensively so what’s really the point? Way I see it they are just stopping him going to another contender.
I’m assuming Nets line up,
1. Irving. Mills. Dragic
2. Harris. Curry. Thomas
3. Simmons. Brown.
4. KD. Aldridge. Johnson
5. Drummond. Claxton. Griffin
Neither Mills nor Seth ever play the 1
Mills has been listed as a point his whole 13 year career. Seth is listed as being a point guard for 6 seasons with another 6 as a shooting guard.
Irving has also been listed as a point his whole career and he hasn’t played point the last two years harden has played point Irving has played the 2. I assume dragic will get the majority of mins at the point in playoffs with Irving getting the majority at shooting guard. Curry will get about 20-24 and mills 8-12 but that’s just a guess.
Irving, In the last two seasons has played a total of 68 games of a possible 131 games, so he’s basically missed half of the games available. But he’s played over 500 games as a point guard. He’s a point.
My guess is your wrong.
Why would the Nets give Dragic “the majority of the minutes at point in the playoffs”?
In the last 4 seasons he’s only started 38 games. He’s now 35.
As a starter I’d rather Irving with Joe Harris at the 2. As a bench option I’d rather Mills and Curry. Both are having solid seasons and know how to play that role well.
Dragic was taken so other teams can’t get him like the Bucks
Since Irving has been on the nets he has not played pg. the fact that he has missed a lot of games does not change the fact since he has been on the nets he has not played pg. this is a fact. I said Irving has played pg his whole career in my comment but for the last two years he has not. And why would dragic sign for a team he would get no playing time for, lol. Wouldn’t dragic rather go to the bucks and play then go to the nets and sit on the bench. Think about it. Please explain to me why dragic would do that. And you would play Harris over dragic???. Lol look at harris playoff numbers and dragic. You would pick patty mills over dragic?!?! R u insane?!?! But we will see come playoff time. My bet is dragic is running the show at pt at least 25 mins a game. Nash wants his pg to run the offense Irving is into scoring. It’s a bad match. That’s why nash don’t like using Irving at the pt. He has a long relationship with dragic dragic will be the coach on the court for Nash. And I agree Irving is a point guard just not with the team he is on now. Funny how you think Nash has had Irving for two years never played him at point and now all of a sudden he’s going to change his mind.
Harris ain’t playing anytime soon…So, you basically have pairings of Kyrie and Curry and then Dragic and Mills or however Nash wants to split his backcourt rotations…
Then, with the minutes left over you give to Cam Thomas to continue his development, or if one of the vets need a game off. For now, for home games, you give Kyrie’s minutes to Thomas as well, but that should change pretty soon with the Mayor all but saying it’ll change in two weeks or so.
Without Joe Harris I’d start Kyrie and Curry. Off the bench have Mills with Brown amd Thomas on the wings. Then have Dragic and Duke as my third string guard options.
If and when Joe Harris returns then Dragic is no longer close to the rotation.
Ngl, thought keeping Bembry would be better than adding Dragic. Bembry had been solid this season
Wow I can’t believe everyone thinks Nash is a end of bench third string guy and I view him as a major piece who will avg over 24 mins a game for the nets in playoffs. Patty mills and Bembry r better than dragic?? That is shocking to me to hear. I might be way wrong but I think dragic is still a really good player. We will see
Dragic wants a title. A healthy Nets with Irving is the best team in the east if not the NBA. I wouldn’t pick against them in any 7 game series.
“If it wasn’t for Nash, Dragic would be either with the Bucks or Clippers”
Can someone pull up the comments saying I was wrong and that the two of them had beef and didn’t get along?
I’ll wait…
Do you mean this comment?
**Or were you lucky? Okay Nostradamus who’s the next buy out guy and where is he signing?**
Yeah.., crickets.
If you know so much, answer the question.
link to hoopsrumors.com
Wow, you’re obsessed. Leads me to believe you are trying to gamble on it somehow.
Sorry, I won’t enable that. Consider seeking help.
LOL !!!!
You asked someone to pull up the comments !!!
You just got called out and failed big time.
But keep them coming I like your posts. They’re entertaining and you have some basketball knowledge I’ll give you that. No hate here.
You’re a real one Gar!
Is that good or bad? Can’t tell if it’s a dig or a compliment LOL. I’ll take either one though.
It’s all good bud
Last time I saw Dragic play he was done,toast finished. So what the nets going to do at crunch time as ben sits cause he can’t hit his free throws,can’t finish at the rim,never met a shot he liked and fears the game. Best team in the east with a player whose useless when the game is on the line ? Dream.
Who hurt you?
Clearly Ben Simmons..lol
As a Nets’ fan, I love Irving’s play, but he’s completely in control of when he gets to play. The “vegan community” at large has supported vaccination even knowing that some testing is done on animals. I realize he’s trying to make a point by standing with those who were “forced” to give up their jobs due to their refusal to get vaccinated, but this is not a noble cause and it’s ultimately hurting the team and its fans.
I said Nets had a good shot at signing him. And this is why.
GORAN DRAGIC EXPLAINS THE ORIGINS OF HIS ‘DRAGON’ NICKNAME
link to foxsports.com
Nash gave the nickname. But it became glorified in the playoffs. When he went off in 2010. Then Suns all pushed “The Dragon”
link to valleyofthesuns.com
About time, absolutely ludicrous that NYC still is forcing these draconian & authoritarian type of mandates!
For the goodness sake let people live (& Kyrie play)!