Brooklyn Nets

NBA champ John Salley praises Kyrie Irving’s vaccine stance, incorrectly states that the star guard didn’t get the virus

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Former NBA big man John Salley offered both praise and support to Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving over his controversial stance on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Salley spoke exclusively to TMZ and said that Irving is vigilant about his health and attempts to delve deeper when exploring issues.

“I think Kyrie Irving is the premier athlete — professional,” Salley said. “I think he’s conscious. I think he thinks it through. I think it’s very important that people pay attention too, he’s not into the lies, the glitz. He’s into taking care of his body.”

Salley also declared himself an enthusiastic supporter of the veteran guard.

“I’m the biggest Kyrie fan,” Salley added. “Everything he does, I take my hat off to him.”

In addition, Salley’s apparent praise of Irving’s vaccination stance was coupled with a shot at the talented guard’s many critics.

“You have a guy who didn’t get the virus, and everybody who talked about smack about him got it really bad,” Salley said. “He had a very strong immune system.”

Salley’s statement is actually inaccurate since Irving did test positive for the virus earlier in the 2021-22 NBA season. Irving’s case seemingly had no complications, and it’s uncertain just how severe some of the cases involving his critics were.

Irving’s future with the Nets remains something of a mystery, though he’s indicated that he’ll re-sign with the team. He does have a player option for the 2022-23 season that’s set to pay him about $36.9 million to play for the Nets.

While that steep amount of money would seemingly make the decicion an easy one for most people, Salley’s reference to Irving often going against the grain should be remembered before any assumptions are made.

Regardless of what takes place with Irving, Salley remains enthusiastic about the guard’s abilities and trajectory.

“I watch how he plays,” Salley said. “His dribbling, handling; he’s going to be a Hall of Famer.”

Irving will indeed likely end up in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. How quickly that occurs remains unknown.

Brad Sullivan

Brad has written on a variety of both NBA and NFL topics and has worked previously as a sports information director at the collegiate level. A lifetime fan of sports, he's witnessed countless great moments in different sports and understands that stories can be compelling from both the perspective of winners and losers. As a frustrated fan of Cleveland sports, he experienced something unprecedented when the Cavaliers won the city's first championship in 52 years.

Published by
Brad Sullivan

Recent Posts

Hall of Famer claims Steph Curry would’ve averaged 17 PPG or less in his era: ‘We would’ve hurt him’

An anonymous Hall of Famer allegedly told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that if Golden State…

3 hours ago

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

23 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

2 days ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

3 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

5 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

6 days ago