Despite being the first in-person NBA Media Day since 2019, the spread of cheer and optimism was not felt by all teams. There was the usual superstar gossip – this year headlined by Ben Simmons’ refusal to return to the 76ers – but there was also a more serious issue: COVID-19 vaccination.

Though there is no mandate, the league has a 95% vaccination rate, according to NBA.com. While the unvaccinated in most cities are still cleared to play, New York City and San Francisco passed laws stating that they are not allowed to participate in home games. The two teams affected, the Golden State Warriors and the Brooklyn Nets, both had high-profile players resisting the shot.

The NBA also stated that players would not be paid for games missed due to the vaccine. For unvaccinated players in Brooklyn or San Francisco, that would be 41 games without pay, plus any post-season appearances.

Among the slew of  players that announced their stance on Media Day, it was Golden State forward Andrew Wiggins who surprised audiences.  

Wiggins, known for his nonchalant attitude, gave a press conference with a resilience that even Jimmy Butler couldn’t pull out of him.

“I’m gonna keep that all private right now,” Wiggins said about his vaccination status. He proceeded to answer each question concerning the vaccine with a similar response.

The forward’s calm demeanor may have thrown reporters off, as they kept pressing him about the shot. One journalist mentioned the potential monetary consequences he would suffer, to which Wiggins responded, “It’s my problem, not yours,” in a matter-of-fact tone that quieted the room.

On October 5th, before their first preseason game against the Portland Trailblazers, Andrew Wiggins announced that he had received the COVID-19 vaccine.

“The only options were to get vaccinated or not play in the NBA,” Wiggins told reporters after their 121-107 victory.

Whereas Andrew Wiggins is rarely in the news, Nets superstar Kyrie Irving is no stranger to public scrutiny. Like his west-coast colleague, Irving shook the NBA when he arrived late and on a Zoom call to Media Day. He confirmed that he had not taken the vaccine and was not allowed into the building.

Irving refused to expand on his stance against the vaccine, citing privacy as the main reason. However, even with questions not directly tied to his vaccination status, he remained guarded.

When ESPN’s Malika Andrews asked if he expected to play in home games, Irving said, “Again, I would like to keep all of that private. Please, just respect my privacy.”

The former champion’s defiance could have devastating consequences for the Brooklyn Nets’ post-season aspirations. Without Irving, they would be limited to James Harden and Kevin Durant, and although they are both top-ten players in the league, losing a talent like Irving will significantly lower their chances to win the title.

The annual general manager survey revealed that the Nets received 72% of the votes for winning the NBA Finals this year, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers at 17%, according to NBA.com.

The media has come to expect stances like this from Kyrie Irving. He’s pledged his loyalty to the Boston Celtics before becoming a locker room cancer, demanded the Nets trade for a third star within his first weeks of joining the team, and recently tried to convince players to not enter the NBA Bubble in the wake of the George Floyd murder, even though he wasn’t playing.

“I expect us to have our whole team, at some point,” fellow superstar Kevin Durant said in response to questions surrounding Irving’s status. However, if he continues to refuse the vaccine, the Nets may be forced to trade him to another team. That move would have to be approved by Durant, as the two friends joined Brooklyn together in the summer of 2019.

Students around campus have mixed feelings about the situation. Freshman Donovin Cooper, an aspiring sports agent, believes athletes should be vaccinated, but not forced to take it.

“The United States is built on freedom, and when you’re forcing somebody to do something, you are forcing them against their will. And you are holding their money hostage in the process.”

Avid basketball consumer and prospective sports journalist Raymond Beasley had this to say about vaccinations:

“I don’t think they should be forced, but assuming that everybody is vaccinated, then [docking pay] is appropriate… In order to play and not jeopardize a team, player, season, or game, you have to get vaccinated, although the decision is up to them.”

From an athlete’s perspective, Hampton soccer player Ryan Lynch supported the NBA’s decision to pressure non-vaccinated performers:

“As an athlete, I think athletes should get vaccinated. It helps to protect themselves and they are role models to many people. NBA players carry a lot of influence so I believe they should get the vaccine so their followers can be encouraged to get it.”

When asked whether players need to take the vaccine even though they are not at great risk of death, Lynch argued that “it’s better to be safe than sorry, no matter how healthy you are.”

With cities considering following New York and San Francisco’s lead, the NBA may be without some of its premier talents as the season draws closer to its October 19th tip-off.