Kyrie Irving is one of the hottest topics in the NBA right now alongside Ben Simmons. The Brooklyn Nets superstar has polarized the NBA community again with his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine. While some defend his decision, others criticize him for jeopardizing the Nets’ season.
Even though they brought James Harden in to make sure Kevin Durant isn’t alone if Kyrie is inactive, people still can’t believe the 2016 NBA championship hasn’t taken the shot. Recent reports suggest he’s trying to stand for those who lost their jobs over mandatory vaccines.
Kyrie’s stance has gotten support from curious people, including Republican politicians like Ted Cruz. He compared the guard to former NFL star Colin Kaepernick.
Cruz isn’t the only one praising Irving’s ‘bravery,’ as a Republican Party’s congressional candidate for the 24th district in Florida took to Twitter to defend the player, comparing his situation to Magic Johnson in the 90s.
At the time, Magic tested positive for HIV, which forced him to retire in 1991 and 1992. During the 1995/96 season, he would return to play 32 games with the Lakers before retiring for a third and final time.
The politician, Lavern Spicer, compared these two situations, saying they let Magic play with this illness. At the same time, Kyrie is getting slandered over a shot.
They let Magic Johnson play basketball with FULL-BLOWN HIV but won’t let Kyrie Irving play because he won’t get a COVID shot.
— Lavern Spicer 🇺🇸 (@lavern_spicer) October 12, 2021
A velveteen touch of HIV
— Sidney Berman (@WGONnews) October 12, 2021
Can someone tell me how HIV is transmitted?
— daniel cruz jr (@danielcruzjr2) October 12, 2021
Didn’t know HIV could spread thru the air 🤔
— show me your friends I’ll show you the future (@coffeealways1) October 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1448084308812570636
Magic Johnson retired then came back to the NBA so before you tell people to get there facts straight maybe you should
— Tony Berner (@tondog7) October 13, 2021
https://twitter.com/GenDisdain/status/1448044135257190409https://twitter.com/SteveHofstetter/status/1448034160153612296https://twitter.com/chescaleigh/status/1448099425151164416
So you think NBA players are sharing needles or having unprotected intercourse with HIV positive people who aren't on treatment? Because that's generally how people get infected with HIV. Not at all the same as an airborne virus like COVID-19.
— Late stage capitalism hater 🇨🇦 (@CanadaFirst25) October 12, 2021
@lavern_spicer demonstrating both ignorance and bigotry in a single tweet.
For the mindless who need a lesson:
1) HIV transmits through sexual contact, not basketball.
2) Covid-19 transmits through the air.
— Michael J. Stern (@MichaelJStern1) October 13, 2021
Congratulations on not knowing how HIV spreads.
— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) October 13, 2021
Magic Johnson couldn’t transmit HIV on the court, but Kyrie Irving could transmit COVID. Why are you like this?
— Tara Dublin, Rock Star Wordsmith & Podcast Host (@taradublinrocks) October 13, 2021
https://twitter.com/ChildrenNeedUs_/status/1448041087948427273https://twitter.com/MayorOfHotdog/status/1448078595990163456
Of course, it didn’t take long for the backlash. Plenty of people blasted the woman for her claims, explaining the obvious differences between HIV and COVID-19.
This topic has been very sensitive for people. When you see an NBA player refusing to take the shot, things take a different dimension. If that player is Kyrie Irving, then you know this will be controversial.
Even politicians are giving their two pennies on this issue. Kyrie really split the NBA world with his decision, but that doesn’t seem to bother the Nets. They won’t allow him to be a part-time player and will do everything in their hands to get their own way.
