Charles Barkley has message for Kyrie Irving over vaccine refusal

Charles Barkley had harsh words for Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving, who is the lone NBA player who, as of Monday, is unable to play this season because of his refusal to comply with New York City’s vaccine mandate.

Irving, who has yet to get vaccinated, is not allowed to play at home games due to New York’s City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. However, the Nets decided to not allow their starting point guard to practice or play with them at all, home or away, until he complies with the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

“You don’t get the vaccine for yourself,” Barkley said on Inside the NBA. “You get it for other people. I got vaccinated. I can’t wait to get the booster. You don’t get vaccinated just for yourself. Like (Adam Silver) said, you get vaccinated for your family first, your teammates second.”

The Hall of Famer continued.

“I really am proud of the Nets for putting their foot down,” Barkley said. “And saying no we’re not going to deal with this half on half off stuff. The only thing that bug me, he’s still going to make 17 million sitting at home…People say he’s like Ali, first of all don’t ever compare anybody to Ali. Ali went three years without boxing when he was the highest paid athlete in the world. This guy gonna make $17 million for sitting at home.”

Barkley’s comments came during halftime of the Nets season opener against the reigning NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. The Brooklyn Nets, who lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals, are among one of the top contenders for the title in the 2021-2022 season. Despite the absence of Kyrie Irving, the team still boasts two of the league’s best in Kevin Durant and James Harden. Paired with Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldrige, Patty Mills, Joe Harris and rookie Cameron Thomas, the Nets are still in position to contend in the East.

Irving stated on Instagram Live on Wednesday that he still hopes to return and play but “this is about my life and what I am choosing to do.” He added he is neither pro-vaccine nor anti-vaccine and that he fully understands the consequences of his decision.

Kyrie Irving’s decision has also cast doubt on his future with the organization. Irving is eligible to sign a four-year, $187 million extension with Brooklyn, but the team no longer intends to offer him said extension. Additionally, the Nets don’t intend to pay Irving for his missed home games, which comes to a total of $16 million should he miss all 41.