Has Kyrie Irving Been Red Pilled?

This time, Kyrie Irving seemingly said something about not being vaccinated without saying anything at all.

Instead, the Brooklyn Nets star point guard merely posted a photo on Instagram. It was of Laurence Fishburne wearing garb portraying Morpheus from “The Matrix” trilogy. As the New York Post relayed, "Morpheus was a strong leader who eventually became a proponent of rationality."'

Irving, of course, has been held out of action by the Nets for refusing to get vaccinated. He is still eligible to play in half their games, or at least the games outside of Brooklyn. But the Nets said that would be a no-go, and word is, Irving does not intend to get the vaccine.

“It’s not about the money, baby,” Irving said on Instagram Live last month. “It’s about choosing what’s best for you. You think I really want to lose money? You think I really want to give up on my dream to go after a championship? You think I really just want to give up my job? You think I really just want to sit at home and not go after the things with my teammates that I’ve been able to grow with, to learn with? … You think I want to give up my livelihood because of a mandate? Because I don’t have accommodations? Because I’m unvaccinated? Come on."

The Nets are reportedly moving forward as if Irving will miss the entire season.

“I am doing what’s best for me. I know the consequences here and if it means that I’m judged and demonized for that, that’s just what it is,” Irving said. “That’s the role I play, but I never wanted to give up my passion, my love, my dream just over this mandate.”

Things haven't gone all that spectacularly without him, as they're off to a very average 4-3 start behind current stars Kevin Durant and James Harden.

https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1455241008208297991?s=21

“Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant,” Nets GM Sean Marks in a statement prior to the season.

“Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability.

“It is imperative that we continue to build chemistry as a team and remain true to our long-established values of togetherness and sacrifice.”

Irving, 29, averaged 26.9 points and 6.0 assists in 54 games last season, his second in Brooklyn.

Written by
Sam Amico spent 15 years covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated, FOX Sports and NBA.com, along with a few other spots, and currently runs his own basketball website on the side, FortyEightMinutes.com.