Kyrie Irving’s anti-vax policy might have cost the Brooklyn Nets a real chance. Kevin Durant turning a blind eye is an equal culprit.
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Another team that has faltered this postseason is the Brooklyn Nets. The stacked team from New York was out for revenge after a narrow exit in the conference semifinals last year.
The Nets team looked ready. But as fate would have it, nothing went their way, nothing. James Harden got traded and Kyrie Irving refusing to get a vaccine led to him sitting out most games.
By the time he returned it was already too late. The Nets were the 7th seed facing an inspired Boston Celtics team. They got swept and were sent home packing.
While there is no clear indicator that the root cause was one person, there is weight in the fact that Kyrie Irving’s refusal to get vaccinated might have had unintended consequences.
Zach Lowe discloses that several GMs would have forced Kyrie Irving to get the shot and were shocked by Kevin Durant’s blind eye!
Nobody in the NBA was pleased with the fact that Kyrie was strongly opposed to the vaccination mandate. While it is his prerogative, the rules around the league were forced to bend.
As Zach Lowe revealed, a lot of GMs around the league would have put the pressure on Kyrie and perhaps even played their hand into ensuring he got vaccinated.
A lot of them were even shocked that the other superstar in the Nets, Kevin Durant did not bat an eyelid. While they may have been close friends, ultimately they are basketball players.
Championship mentality means doing anything you can to win. Sadly, the Nets did not do that.
