Brooklyn stops the superstar from all matches until he has been vaccinated.
The reason is that according to New York's vaccination rules, he is not allowed to train or play matches at home in New York as long as he is unvaccinated.
Similar rules exist in San Francisco and will also be introduced in Los Angeles.
In a live broadcast on Instagram, which ESPN took part in, Irving now says:
- It's not about being a vaccination opponent or on one side or the other.
It's about doing what feels best to me.
- If I am to be demonized to have more questions and take the time to make a decision about my life, then so be it.
I know the consequences, and I know I have to get vaccinated to be with the team.
I have chosen to be unvaccinated and I want to ask you to respect that choice.
"Have more to give"
Brooklyn completely stops Irving from playing, because he is not even allowed to train with the team, but they only give him a salary deduction for the home games that he according to New York rules had not been allowed to play, as well as the regular season games against the other New York team, Knicks.
According to ESPN's calculations, this would mean that Irving would lose half his annual salary, ie the equivalent of SEK 150 million.
- It's not about money but about what I think is best for me.
Do you think I want to lose money?
Do you think I want to give up the dream of a championship title or give up my job?
says Irving.
The 29-year-old says he does not intend to give up his career.
And according to ESPN, Irving may, according to the agreement with Brooklyn, sign a four-year extension agreement corresponding to SEK 1.63 billion.
- I have more left to give, says Irving.
Irving is not the only basketball star who does not want to get vaccinated before the NBA start on Sunday - Washington Wizards Bradley Beal, Orlando Magics Jonathan Isaac and Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins are a few others.
However, Wiggins has fallen short and has taken a shot, as he otherwise could not train and play the home games in Oakland, San Francisco due to the vaccination regulations.
"It was my only option if I wanted to play in the NBA," he said last week.
99,5 procent i NHL
According to US media, 95 percent of NBA players have been vaccinated against covid-19.
In the North American ice hockey league NHL, there are now only four players, out of 700, who have not been vaccinated.
- The vaccination rate is incredible.
Four players, not four percent, are unvaccinated.
All officials and all leaders around the players have been vaccinated, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in connection with the season premiere in Tampa on Tuesday.
MORE BASKETBALL: LeBron about the mockery of old age: "I just laugh at it" (October 2, 2021)
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LeBron James and some of the teammates of the LA Lakers during the media day before the NBA season.
Photo: Instagram / ESPN