In stunning reversal spurred by players out due to COVID protocols, Nets welcome back unvaccinated star Irving, for away games. It's a business.

In an announcement that startled the basketball world, the Brooklyn Nets--shorthanded due to injuries and players exposed to COVID--are bringing back the unvaccinated Kyrie Irving, who can't play home games in Brooklyn (or against the crosstown Knicks), nor travel to Toronto.

"Nets Cave on Kyrie," the New York Daily News backpaged it, coupled with Kristian Winfield's article headlined Kyrie Irving return to Nets as part-time player reeks of negligence.

Even though Irving will have to register negative COVID tests to play, and various vaccinated (though maybe not boosted?) NBA players have gotten COVID (and, being young athletes are at less risk), his unvaccinated status raises the risk both for himself and those around him, which may include other team/NBA associates at higher risk. 

(That said, New York City's willingness to allow unvaccinated visiting players, not ones on the home team, to play is "bonkers." as noted below.)

While the Nets presented it as a team decision, one which would help keep the playing load off star Kevin Durant for some 24 away games, the New York Times and others noted that General Manager Sean Marks and Joe Tsai had been previously "publicly steadfast."

Tsai had said it was "just not tenable" to have a part-time player and Marks said their "focus needs to be on those players that are going to be involved here and participating fully."

Well, it's a business. 

Indeed, Tsai told the New York Post, “We’re trying to be practical. And I’ve always said I don’t want to make this a political issue. My only religion is to win games and win the championship. That’s where we are.” 

In October, Irving was cleared to practice at the Nets' facility in Brooklyn, since it was classified a private office rather than a gym, though the Nets chose not to take advantage of that, saying having a part-time Irving would be divisive.

That said, a 12/10/21 state order, in force until Jan. 15, 2022 (at least), requires masking in any "indoor public place,” defined as "any indoor space that is not a private residence.," unless proof of vaccination is required as a condition of entry. That would seem to preclude practicing.

Breaking on Twitter

The news broke on Twitter, with two NBA insiders.

From ESPN:

Nets owner Joe Tsai, general manager Sean Marks, coach Steve Nash and key players were uniformly supportive of the idea --- and Irving has been eager to return to play in the team's away games, sources said. Before the season, there had been concerns about how Irving's status as a part-time player might impact team chemistry, but a belief that he can help the Nets fight for home-court advantage in the playoffs and ease the wear and tear on Kevin Durant and James Harden were factors in convincing the team that his return was ultimately the best course, sources said.

Sources: Kyrie Irving will play in road games and practice at home with the Brooklyn Nets. He is expected to practice with the team in the coming days. https://t.co/QilgYMM4Lo

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 17, 2021

ESPN Sources: With the unfolding circumstances of Brooklyn’s season – including injuries, Covid losses and an inordinate minutes load on their superstar players – the Nets are bringing back All-Star guard Kyrie Irving as a part-time player for games outside of New York.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 17, 2021

Yes, you read that right:

The Brooklyn Nets started dropping like flies from breakthrough cases of and increased exposure to a deadly virus.

Their solution: welcome an unvaccinated colleague to the office to breathe on them all day at close contact.

Covid's ironies never end. https://t.co/44qO4ipwvD

— Matt Sullivan (@sullduggery) December 17, 2021

Joe Tsai and Sean Marks gonna be backpedaling into the Hudson pic.twitter.com/7wvKKLhNzs

— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) December 17, 2021

why did the nets waste almost half the season taking a “stand” about their defiantly unvaccinated player only to bring him back because the team is low on personnel….because of the pandemic? what was the point?

— Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) December 17, 2021

So, let’s review
- Kyrie refuses to get vaccinated, as such can’t play home games
- Team refuses to let him be a part time player
- Team gets hit by COVID outbreak, in large part caused by people who didn’t get vaccinated
- Team allows Kyrie, unvaccinated, to return.

— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) December 17, 2021

He’s previously infected. I think you can maintain the stance of banning Kyrie so long as it appears that vaccination indeed prevents, or at least curtails, transmission.

That was the case until Omicron. But now half the vaxxed Nets are out—so what’s the point?

— endasher (@endasher) December 17, 2021

Kyrie Irving has to test negative on five successive days before he can rejoin the team. Once he returns, he will have to test every day as an unvaccinated player. https://t.co/L1RwG8GORQ

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 17, 2021

As Kyrie is set to return to the Nets for road games, it's worth reminding that NYC's law that prevents Kyrie from playing while not applying to visiting unvaccinated players remains bonkers.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) December 18, 2021