Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving didn't attend the team's media day at Barclays Center on Monday due to the city's COVID-19 protocols, and in a virtual press conference with reporters, he requested privacy when asked about his vaccination status.
If unvaccinated, Irving would lose over $400,000 for each game missed under the NBA's policy. And since this situation can hinder the Nets' progress and potentially dash their title hopes, Shaquille O'Neal is fed up with Irving.
"[If Irving was my teammate], I'd go upstairs and say get him up out of here. Get him up out of here," the Hall of Famer told the Tiki and Tierney show on Wednesday. "We can win with a two-punch and a great shooter and some rebounders like we've got. Get his ass up out of here. Because now every day, I'm going to have to answer questions about him and what he's doing.
"Get his ass up out of here. You asked me if I was on the team. Of course, if I played with him, I'd be in charge -- all the way, all day. So, whoever owns the Brooklyn Nets, get him up out of here."
Last month, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio issued an executive order that requires New York-resident athletes who practice or play indoors to provide proof of at least one vaccine shot. Of course, Irving can endure the loss of game checks -- he's set to earn $34 million in 2021-22. But with 41 scheduled home games, plus preseason action, the dollars will certainly add up.
The latest report says that 90-percent of the NBA is fully vaccinated, which means 10-percent of the league isn't. Although the league isn't mandating players to get vaccinations, New York and San Francisco are two cities that have vaccine mandates. Last week, the NBA denied Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins' request for religious exemption from the vaccine.
Irving, a seven-time All-Star, averaged a team-high 26.9 points, 6.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in 54 games last year. According to the William Hill Sportsbook, the Nets have the best odds (+225) to win the NBA Finals next summer.
The entire NBA conversation between O'Neal and Tiki and Tierney can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Tiki and Tierney Show on Twitter @TikiAndTierney and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.
Not all communities have the resources available to rebuild healthy places to play. Icy Hot and The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation are committed to helping kids within underserved communities have basketball courts that are in good condition so they can Get Back in the Game. In a continuation of last year’s commitment to young athletes through the “Get Game Ready” program, The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and long-time partner Icy Hot are teaming up again to launch a series of “Comebaq Courts” -- a refurbishment effort for existing public basketball courts that could use some TLC, such as freshly designed blacktop, baskets, and other elements. The courts, which will be unveiled later this year, will be located in Las Vegas, Nevada and Newark, New Jersey. To support this effort, O'Neal will host the “Icy Hot x NBA 2k22 Charity Game” fundraiser on the e-gaming platform Twitch on Monday, October 18th from 5:00 – 7:00pm ET. For more information, visit IcyHot.com/GetBackInTheGame.