The Nets had one goal a season ago, which was to stay healthy so they can beat the brakes off everyone else. They couldn't do it. A pair of injuries to James Harden and Kyrie Irving derailed their title aspirations.

The Milwaukee Bucks would not have survived if either Nets' guard was able to go. Heck, even a healthy Spencer Dinwiddie might have been enough to edge past the Bucks. Titles hang in the balance of a butterfly's wing. Now while the neighboring Knicks (a fully vaccinated team) puzzle over who will be their starting point guard (spoiler it sounds like it's going to be Kemba Walker, not Derrick Rose) the Nets find themselves mired in one of those controversies where sports transcends the arena and enters public discourse. The preseason hasn't even begun and we have our first bombshell story involving your Brooklyn Nets. But could it thwart their title hopes?

It all happened so fast. An update that not every Nets player was vaccinated yet. Then an unconfirmed report that Kyrie Irving was one of those players. Then the update that Irving would not be able to attend Nets Media day because of “health and safety protocols.” That phrase is usually code for “dude tested positive for COVID-19,” but we knew in this case that it likely meant he isn't vaccinated and therefore cannot gain access to Barclays Center, where New York is mandating proof of vaccination.

Now everyone is asking ‘what will Kyrie do?' He didn't clarify much yesterday when he asked for privacy and (almost comically) said he didn't want to become a distraction.

At the very top of the issue are questions about players as role models, the impact they can have on at-risk communities,  there are elements of freedom, personal health, privacy, how a personal decision can impact those who come in contact with us and even issues of race.

Some people are not shying away from using headlines about Kyrie Irving to voice their opinions:

Per Sally Jenkins, The Washington Post:

“Kyrie Irving is too smart for you. He’s so smart, he can outwit germs and governments. He’s so smart, you can’t understand a word he’s saying. That’s how smart he is. His genius is utterly indecipherable to you and me, and while you may wish for some insight into the exquisite, diamond-chip workings of his multifaceted mind, you are not entitled to them because he prefers to keep them “private.”

NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar isn't being shy either:

Then below all of that national discourse is simply the basketball element of it all…the Nets just aren't nearly as threatening if they may not have Irving available for half the season (he would still be eligible to play in other cities, just not New york or San Francisc0).

Zach Lowe of ESPN suggests that this could jeopardize their place as title-favorites and open the door for rival teams:

Now if you've been following the recent Nets media appearances, you have probably sensed a level of concern on the part of the Nets Brass and players that doesn't quite match the level of public alarm.

Sean Marks, last week, expressed confidence that “all Nets will be available for the season,” per SNY's Ian Begley.

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Kevin Durant at media day said “no,” when asked if he was concerned about Irving's availability for home games.

New teammate Patty Mills seemed to have a little fun with the phrase that's been going around “a personal decision:”

So on the one hand you have the NBA's first bombshell story, conjuring up plenty of “this is more than about sports now” energy. On the other, you have many ramifications for the Nets title hopes.  If Irving winds up getting vaccinated in the near future, we'll look back on this and say “well why'd he even let it get to this point?” If he doesn't, you've got a situation where one of the league's best players in the largest market is not even eligible to play the game because of a local vaccine mandate that doesn't apply to other teams. That would be crazy for so many reasons.

There was a time a year ago when I thought “man, Steve Nash has a full plate for a rookie coach.” A shortened season, some pulled hamstrings, navigating a season during a pandemic with no experience. Kyrie Irving may have read my mind and thought “hold my beer.”