Everyone who knows about their NBA history knows that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is not afraid of taking a stand on important topics. That still holds true today, as the former Los Angeles Lakers center dropped some harsh words on NBA stars that refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

In an email interview with The Rolling Stone, Kareem said this about the recent issues with COVID-19 vaccination in the NBA:

“There is no room for players who are willing to risk the health and lives of their teammates, the staff and the fans simply because they are unable to grasp the seriousness of the situation or do the necessary research. What I find especially disingenuous about the vaccine deniers is their arrogance at disbelieving immunology and other medical experts. Yet, if their child was sick or they themselves needed emergency medical treatment, how quickly would they do exactly what those same experts told them to do?”

With most of the country opening up to more events, being vaccinated against COVID-19 has become more and more of a priority for establishments. This has led to some issues for some teams. Kyrie Irving, for example, has been notorious for being a high-profile player that refuses the vaccine. Former Lakers point guard Dennis Schroder was also reported to have not been vaccinated during the 2021 playoffs.

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More recently, Andrew Wiggins got himself in trouble with the NBA. The Golden State Warriors forward tried to apply for a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine, but he was denied by the NBA. As a result, Wiggins might miss significant time as he wouldn't be allowed to play in home games until he's vaccinated. Even some current Lakers have gotten in hot water for being vague or explicitly saying that they didn't believe in the vaccine.

As Kareem Abdul-Jabbar points out though, the vaccination issue isn't about being able to play basketball or not. It's about protecting other people around you from getting COVID. The former Lakers legend's strong words should become a wake-up call for these guys to finally get the vaccine.