The biggest news surrounding the NBA season as opening night approaches has nothing to do with basketball. Whether or not your team's stars have had their COVID-19 vaccine administered is the question being asked all throughout NBA media day. The Los Angeles Lakers' media day was no different.
LeBron James was of course the loudest voice on the subject. The Lakers star confirmed his vaccination status despite initially feeling skepticism until he was able to do some research.
Via CNN's Amir Vera and David Close:
“Everyone has their own choice to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family and things of that nature,” the Lakers star said. “I know that I was very skepticism (sic) about it all. But after doing my research and things of that nature, I felt like it was best suited for not only me but my family and my friends. That's why I decided to do it.”
The Lakers are expected to be 100% vaccinated once the season rolls around. But of course, there are varying degrees to how open all players are to getting the vaccine. One veteran in particular, Kent Bazemore that the imposition initially felt “forced” on him.
Via Kyle Goon:
Kent Bazemore publicly expressed vaccine skepticism in March; today, he says he felt the vaccine was “forced on me” and he doesn't respond well to that.
However, Bazemore revealed he had a change of heart in large part thanks to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, who explained to him the benefits of getting the shot.
He said after a call with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, he decided to get vaccinated. “He put it in a way that I had never heard before.”
Not every team has had such an easy time convincing its players to get the vaccine. The Golden State Warriors and the Brooklyn Nets, two of the Lakers' competitors for the title this year are facing their own challenges with their stars.
This is just another way that shows how in sync this Lakers squad is. They're willing to do whatever it takes to chase the title this season. A perfect vaccination rate helps them do just that.
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