After the Brooklyn Nets declared that Kyrie can’t be with the team unless he gets a vaccination jab, there have been murmurs about him hanging his boots. However, the All-star point guard has made it clear that he isn’t going anywhere away from basketball. The guard said it is his choice to remain unvaccinated and that despite financial repercussions, he is going to exercise his individuality. Irving may still play away games but can’t play home games as of now since New York has a mandate for workers to get a vaccination jab if they want to perform their craft.
I am doing what's best for me. I know the consequences here, and if it means that I'm judged and demonised for that, that's just what it is, that's the role I play. No, I'm not retiring, and no, I'm not going and leaving this game like this. There's still so much more work to do. The financial consequences, I know I do not want to even do that. But it is reality that in order to be in New York City, in order to be on a team, I have to be vaccinated. I chose to be unvaccinated, and that was my choice, and I would ask you all to just respect that choice. I am going to just continue to stay in shape, be ready to play, be ready to rock out with my teammates and just be part of this whole thing. This is not a political thing; this is not about the NBA, not about any organization. This is about my life and what I am choosing to do.
Kyrie Irving, Guard, Brooklyn Nets