Michael Jordan enters NBA vaccination battle

Michael Jordan has addressed the NBA’s controversial Covid-19 rules while high profile stars refuse to step foot on the court.

Michael Jordan has emphatically endorsed the NBA’s Covid-19 protocols.

The owner of the Charlotte Hornets has spoken about the league’s controversial rules which will see some star players unable to play in their home stadiums this season as a result of their refusal to be vaccinated.

Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving has been the centre point of the ongoing battle as he continues to hold out on New York City’s mandatory vaccination rules.

The complex rules means Irving will not play in any Nets home games and has only been allowed to train with his team as a result of the team’s training facilities being ruled a private office.

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Jordan on Tuesday said there is nothing wrong with the protocols in place for the 2021-22 season.

When asked if he was concerned by the league’s vaccine stance, Jordan replied in an interview on NBC: “Not at all. Not at all. I am total in unison with the league. And I think everybody, you know, has been speaking about the vaccinations.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and MJ. Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images.

“And, you know, I’m a firm believer in science and, you know, I’m going to stick with that and hopefully everybody abides by whatever the league sets the rules. I think once everybody buys in, we’re going the be fine.

Things don’t look fine for the Nets. Coach Steve Nash this week admitted his team won’t have its star point guard available to play when the season tips off this month.

Covid-19 restrictions in San Francisco and Los Angeles means Irving could miss up to 43 matches of the 82-match home-and-away season.

There are still some loopholes for Irving to be approved under New York City laws.

Irving could apply for a religious exemption, although Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins was rejected for this before capitulating and taking the vaccine, The New York Post reports.

How this ends — or how it impacts cohesion along the way — nobody can accurately predict. Irving’s teammates just say whenever he can play, they need him.

Kyrie Irving missing in Brooklyn. Photo by Jared C. Tilton / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP.

“I don’t know to be honest; I really don’t,” Blake Griffin said. “It’s not something that I’ve experienced before. Whatever he decides, whatever the team decides, whatever agreement we come to or whatever happens, we’re just gonna support him. And when he’s here, we can use him. He’s amazing.”

The Nets begin their regular season on October 19 at reigning NBA champion Milwaukee.

Irving’s Covid-19 vaccine status could open the door for Aussie star Patty Mills to take centre stage in his first season at the Brooklyn Nets.