Getting the most out of rookie players can definitely be a challenge in the NBA, especially for a team like the Brooklyn Nets, who are contending for their first championship this year. When you look at Brooklyn’s roster on paper, it is very clear to see why they are the favorites to hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy into the air at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
Six different players on their roster have been named an All-Star at least four times, three different players have won a championship and they have two former league-MVPs on their team in Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Having an abundance of offensive talent is where this Nets team sticks out amongst everyone else in the league, but recent news pertaining to Kyrie Irving’s availability could throw a wrench in Brooklyn’s plans this season.
Per New York City guidelines, all players on both the Nets and Knicks must be fully vaccinated in order to play home games in both Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden and Kyrie Irving is currently unvaccinated.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: 3 Teams Who Should Keep Tabs On Nets’ Kyrie Irving Trade
The 7x All-Star guard does not intend on getting vaccinated at the moment, which means that he will be forced to miss home games and practices to begin the year.
There was a lot of talk of whether or not the Nets would utilize Kyrie as a guy who will play in away games only, but on Tuesday, the organization gave some clarity on what they intend to do with their star. In a statement on their decision, the Brooklyn Nets released the following:
“Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant. Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability. It is imperative that we continue to build chemistry as a team and remain true to our long-established values of togetherness and sacrifice. Our championship goals for the season have not changed, and to achieve these goals each member of our organization must pull in the same direction. We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make the borough of Brooklyn proud.”
There is no word from Kyrie Irving and his camp yet on what the All-Star intends on doing, but for the moment, Irving is going to be sidelined indefinitely to begin the season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: 3 Teams Who Should Keep Tabs On Nets’ Kyrie Irving Trade
Not only does this mean guys like Patty Mills and Bruce Brown will be thrown into larger roles to begin the 2021-22 season, but rookie Cameron Thomas will have a real chance to prove what he can do in the NBA early on.
