A lot of attention has been on the Brooklyn Nets in recent days. They have NBA championship aspirations this season, but their chances of taking home a title will take a big hit depending on what happens with Kyrie Irving.
Right now, their starting point guard is ineligible to partake in anything indoors in New York City. That is because New York has a mandate that requires people to be vaccinated for any indoor events.
Irving has not outright said it, but he remains without the COVID-19 vaccination. He did not take part in the team’s media day and was not present at their first practice. As things currently stand, Irving is not allowed to practice with the team or play in any games at the Barclays Center.
That means Irving would miss at least 41 games this season and the two games at Madison Square Garden. He would also forfeit nearly $15 million in salary by remaining unvaccinated.
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While that is a big hurdle the Nets will have to overcome, some NBA executives don’t believe that is the team’s biggest issue. The Achilles’ heel for the Nets, according to them, is actually James Harden,
“Some NBA executives think Brooklyn’s Achilles’ heel is that Harden is their leader. He doesn’t exactly have the best reputation, and unlike his two costars, he’s yet to win a championship. But even if they don’t know what it’s like elsewhere, young Nets players seem to appreciate what they have in Harden.”
While Harden may not have the best reputation, at least he will be in the building when the season starts. That is more than can be said about Irving, who will remain estranged from the team as long as he remains unvaccinated.
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For all the shortcomings he may have as a leader, the Brooklyn Nets would assuredly take that over what they are dealing with in regards to Kyrie Irving. While Kevin Durant and James Harden are a more than capable duo of carrying the load, not having Irving will make things that much more difficult.
