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The NBA has yet to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for all NBA players. However, they have placed many restrictions on unvaccinated players, and many players are taking issue with the new rules. These restrictions are to reward players who have received the COVID-19 vaccine and reward them.
Some of the restrictions include being separated from teammates while traveling and in the locker rooms, constant testing, and limiting what gatherings they can attend. Also, unvaccinated players will receive more testing, and if they come back positive, they will not get paid for any games missed. Furthermore, the NBA abides by any state or city COVID-19 mandates, meaning stricter regulations in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Some of the top players in the league have opposed these restrictions and have been vocal about their opinions. Here are the top five players who have done so.
#5 Jonathan Isaac (Orlando Magic, Power Forward)
Jonathan Isaac seems to have been involved in many controversies over the last two seasons. The first one was when he stood up for the national anthem while the rest of his teammates kneeled in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Now he has been outspoken against the new COVID-19 restrictions that the NBA has mandated.
In his three-year career with the Orlando Magic, Isaac has averaged only 9.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Isaac has shown a lot of promise since entering the NBA, and the issue is that he has constantly been dealing with injuries. He missed all of the 2020-21 COVID-19 season after tearing his ACL during the NBA’s bubble in response to COVID-19.
Since the NBA has started these COVID-19 mandates, Isaac has been one of the most vocal players against it, going on numerous talk shows to voice his opinions.
#4 Andre Wiggins (Golden State Warriors, Small Forward)
Andrew Wiggins is one of two players on this list in cities that require anyone entering an enlaced area to be vaccinated. This meant that if Wiggins had not been vaccinated at the start of the season, he would not have played in home games.
Wiggins has averaged 19.5 points a game in his eight-year career. Despite winning Rookie of the Year in the 2014-15 season, Wiggins has yet to meet the highest many thought he could become. Many believed Wiggins would become a constant participant in the All-Star game, but he has yet to become one.
Wiggins asked the NBA for an exception from the COVID-19 protocol due to religious reasons but was denied. Wiggins went on the podium on Golden State Warriors media day to share his reasoning but has since received the COVID-19 vaccine.
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#3 Michael Porter Jr. (Denver Nuggets, Power Forward)
Michael Porter Jr. is a rising young star in the NBA after just two seasons. After Denver Nuggets star point guard Jamal Murray went down with an ACL tear, Porter stepped up.
Last season, Porter averaged 19 points and 7.3 rebounds a game while shooting 54% from the field and 45% from three. After the All-Star break, Porter’s stats took a massive jump, going from 14.6 points in 28.,6 minutes to 22.3 points in 30.5. Porter is expected to play a crucial role in the Nuggets' championship hopes, with Murray likely to miss a large part of the season.
However, Porter has yet to get COVID-19 vaccinated and has spoken out against the NBA’s protocol. If Porter misses time due to these rules, it could hurt the Nuggets' season.
#2 Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets, Point Guard)
The Brooklyn Nets came out today, making it clear that unless Kyrie Irving receives the COVID-19 vaccination, he will not be a part of the team moving forward. New York City requires you to be vaccinated if you want to enter into an enclosed area, meaning Irving would have to miss all of the Nets' home games.
Irving’s basketball skill is undeniable, as he is an NBA champion and a seven-time NBA All-Star. last season might have been one of the best seasons of his 10-year career. He scored 26.9 points, the second-most of his career, adding six assists, the third-most of his career. On top of that, he was just the ninth player in NBA history to join the 50-40-90 club.
The Irving COVID-19 saga has officially hit a crossroads today, and if Irving wants to be a part of the Nets finals run, he needs to get the COVID-19 vaccination.
#1 Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards, Shooting Guard)
Bradley Beal has become one of the best scorers in the NBA, and Irving are the most prominent names to be openly unvaccinated, but the difference is one is in New York City, and one is in Washington D.C.
Beal has always been a solid player for the Washington Wizards, averaging 22 points in his career. In the last two seasons, Beal has gone to another level, averaging over 30 points. Beal's name is constantly on the trade rumor wheel at just 28 years old, with the Wizards' lack of recent playoff success.
Beal openly discredited the COVID-19 vaccine in his Wizards' media day press conference. However, the next day he did come back and say he is still considering getting the vaccine or not.
Guess the Lakers players!
