NEW YORK — The NBA is the epitome of this new clown world in the COVID-19 era. But several heroes and a few goats (the bad kind) are being created in the process.
First, let’s outline the NBA’s “vaccine” and COVID-19 protocols. Non-vaccinated players are not allowed to eat with their teams, go to team functions, or be in same locker room as their teammates. But come game time, they can be on the court, maskless, with their teammates and opponents, fighting for rebounds, diving for loose balls and sweating everywhere.
NBA players are not “required” to receive the injections. But we all know how the social pressure and media coercion work. Non-vaccinated players are also not allowed to leave their homes or hotels on the road. Keep in mind this blogger is a former sports reporter, and old enough to remember when the NBA allowed Magic Johnson to play basketball with full-blown AIDS.
Despite the “non-mandate,” at least 95% of NBA players have received the injections, according to the league. So of course those 5% non-vaccinated are the big news stories.
Jonathan Isaac – Orlando Magic forward: standing strong
Note that Rolling Stone magazine is a joke publication with no credibility. That said, Rolling Stone wrote a hit-piece on Mr. Isaac claiming he was a Donald Trump fan and a bunch of other nonsense. Mr. Isaac, a 6’11 forward, has made clear that he will not receive the injections for many reason, but mostly because he’s had COVID-19 and thus has natural immunity. A reporter asked him about the Rolling Stone article during the team’s media session in late September. Mr. Isaac’s response went viral.
Mr. Isaac has always been his own man. He made headlines in 2020 because he was the lone Magic player not to kneel during the National Anthem. Mr. Isaac will only miss a handful of games due to vaxx mandates in New York and California. Florida essentially outlaws all vaccine mandates, so he’ll play all Magic home games.
Bradley Beal – Washington Wizards shooting guard: standing strong
Mr. Beal is a bonafide scorer and 3-time NBA All-Star. It’s frankly sad that reporters posed at least four questions about “vaccination status” during the team’s media day on September 28 instead of asking about basketball. But he handled it like a champ, and likely forced a few reporters to go home and do some research for themselves. Mr. Beal, a 6’3 guard, turned the tables and asked reporters a question of his own:
“People with vaccines, why are you still getting COVID? It doesn’t eliminate anyone from getting COVID.”
Washington, D.C. has no vaxx mandates so he can play all home games. Of course he’ll miss games in California and New York. NBA players will not be paid for games missed due to vaxx mandates. Further, the Wizards will sink or swim with Mr. Beal. He is by far the best player on their roster. Thus they cannot and will not just “sit him out.” That’s the luxury of being an indispensable employees for a large corporation.
Andrew Wiggins – Golden State Warriors: caved to the pressure
This one is sad and disappointing. Both New York City and San Francisco (where the Warriors play) have municipal vaxx mandates. Everyone entering a “large-scale event” must show proof of vaccination in San Francisco. Mr. Wiggins submitted his request for a religious exemption to the NBA, but it was denied. It’s unclear why Mr. Wiggins did not challenge the denial in federal court, like the Western Michigan University athletes and New York healthcare workers.
Mr. Wiggins knows very well the dangers of these injections. He’s done the research. Mr. Wiggins was coy about answering questions regarding his “vaccination status” at the team’s media day late last month. But everyone knew he was non-vaxxed. Unfortunately he made a decision based on money. Mr. Wiggins has already made nearly $80 million in salary alone in his NBA career. He’s likely made several million more in endorsements. His press conference announcing he received the Johnson & Johnson viral vector DNA shot was very similar to stories of regular people covered on this blog. He only received the shot after coercion and facing the job or jab decision.
Mr. Wiggins said he hopes in 10 years, he’s still healthy, knowing the damage these injections do to humans. Mr. Wiggins also made clear that it’s “not something I wanted to do” and that apparently he “doesn’t own his body.” The solemn press conference culminated with a dejected Mr. Wiggins conceding that he sacrificed himself for his children and family.
“It’s not really something we believe in as a family. They know that I had to. It came down to get the vaccination or don’t play basketball. I’m 26. I have two kids. I want more kids. I’m trying to do something that will generate as much money as I can for my kids and my future kids, [create] generational wealth. So, I took the gamble, took the risk, and hopefully, I’m good.”
Mr. Wiggins reported body aches and chills after receiving the injection.
Brandon Goodwin – New York Knicks point guard: post-injection blood clots
Note that the former Atlanta Hawks point guard signed with the New York Knicks yesterday. But while a member of the Atlanta Hawks, the team made a magical run to the Eastern Conference Finals this past season. Noticeably absent was their backup point guard, Mr. Goodwin. The Hawks announced he would miss the playoffs due to a “minor respiratory illness.” But there’s always two sides to every story.
Mr. Goodwin revealed on a Twitch stream that, “the vaccine ended my season [last year]. One thousand percent.” But he wasn’t finished:
“I got sick and I never quite recovered from it (after the injection). I would always have back pain, I was just super tired in the games. Bro, I was so tired. I felt like I couldn’t run up and down the court. My back was hurting. My back really started hurting bad. Then, I’m like, OK. I need to go to the doctor. That’s when I found out I had (two) blood clots. That all within the span of a month. I was fine until then. I was fine up until I took the vaccine, I was fine.”
The worst part is yet to come. The Atlanta Hawks told Mr. Goodwin not to talk to media or anyone else about his condition, particularly the blood clots and prescribed blood thinners. The real reason for his playoff absence is because you cannot do rigorous activities while on blood thinners. Watch the full Twitch stream here.
Kyrie Irving – Brooklyn Nets guard: focal point of non-vaxxed NBA
Non-basketball fans have heard the name Kyrie Irving. He’s the biggest star of all the foregoing players, and thus the primary target of all the corporate talking heads in sports media. The Brooklyn Nets announced this week that Kyrie Irving won’t be allowed to play or practice with the team because he refuses to receive mRNA or viral vector DNA injections. That means he won’t get paid his $33.4 million salary in 2021-22. Mr. Irving doesn’t care.
He’s made well over $130 million in salary alone in his NBA career. Mr. Irving, conservatively, has made another $100 million during his 10 years in the NBA from endorsements and other projects. Money does not control this man. Granted he’s a little quirky and a lot brash. But the NBA and mainstream media billionaires are realizing that their money cannot control Mr. Irving. And it is making them mad as hell.
Just listen to Shannon Sharpe (who this blogger used to have the upmost respect for until 2021). He and Skip Bayless are unabashed vaxx zealots who are incapable of thinking outside their scripted talking points. It has nothing to do with “Flat Earth” or “selfishness.” Mr. Irving does not want to poison himself, period.
And the list goes on with these talking heads. That Stephen A. Smith clown is even worse. None of these people have principles. They are all bought-and-paid-for talking heads. They will never understand Mr. Irving not only because all of them are under the influence of synthetic mRNA and viral vector DNA, but also because they make decisions based on money. Mr. Irving is his own man and own company. Shannon Sharpe, Stephen A. Smith, etc. are just following orders from their bosses, period.