Benched Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving had Wednesday night to insist that he cared what was best for him in opting against Covid - 19 vaccination which took him off of NBA floor.
In his first comments since the Nets said Irving wouldn't be playing or practicing until he's in compliance with New York City health codes, the standout guard said that's the price he is willing to pay to not get vaccinated agains a virus that has killed more than 722,000 Americans.
Irving is in the midst of a four-year, $136.49 million contract which would pay him $34.9 million this season. The Nets tip off their 2021-22th-day road game against thedefending champion Bucks in Milwaukee.
It is not about money, baby. It's not always about the money, he said in an Instagram video posted on Facebook Live.
It s about choosing what is best for you. So the Nets had been looking at an uncomfortable 50 - percent use of Irving before announcing Tuesday they'd simply go without him.
Sean Marks made a personal choice and we respect his individual right to choose, Nets General Manager Kyrie said in a statement.
Currently the choice restricts his ability to be part time member of the team, and we will not allow any member of our team to participate with full-time availability. It is imperative that we continue to build chemistry as a team and remain true to our long established values of likeness and sacrifice. Vaccinations have proven to be a valuable tool in stopping the spread of Covid 19 and lessening the impact on those who are infected.
Nearly 188 million people in America, 12 and older, have been completely vaccinated, which is 56.6 percent of the total population, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.