The biggest threat to the Brooklyn Nets' title hopes is coming from in-house. Kyrie Irving has thus far stayed firm on his stance against taking the COVID-19 vaccine, which would keep him out of home games due to city regulations in New York.

Shaquille O'Neal recently called him out on the decision, not for his stance on the vaccine, but for his obligation for his Nets teammates. The center claims if it was him in Kevin Durant's position, he wouldn't want Irving around if he's missing half their contests.

KD received similar advice from outspoken analyst Kendrick Perkins, who urged Durant to consider trading Kyrie Irving if he'd prove to be a “distraction” for the Nets' pursuit of a title.

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“Look, if you're trying to win a championship, you need everybody to be 100% in. I know it's a touchy subject when it comes down to being vaccinated and things of that nature. But he's telling to Kevin Durant, ‘Hey man, listen. You have a chance to do something. You have James Harden. Don't let this man be the distraction.' Sometimes you've got to be man enough to walk upstairs and pull the plug,” said Perkins on the Nets' situation.

The NBA season starts in a few weeks with no resolution beyond Kyrie Irving just deciding to get the vaccine. That could very well still be in play and this could all just be a hilarious blip we look back on after the Nets lift the Larry O'Brien trophy. However, given how enigmatic Kyrie has been in the past, anything can happen.