In the video above, Chris Broussard & Rob Parker react to breaking news that Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving will be allowed to return to his team on a part-time basis after being on hiatus due to New York's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Originally, Nets made the decision that Kyrie wouldn't be allowed to rejoin the team in any capacity at the beginning of the season. This has now been lifted according to a report from ESPN:
With the unfolding circumstances of Brooklyn’s season – including injuries, Covid losses and an inordinate minutes load on their superstar players – the Nets are bringing back All-Star guard Kyrie Irving as a part-time player for games outside of New York.
So far, Irving has been unwilling satisfy New York City mandates and become vaccinated to play home games, but the turbulence of the ongoing NBA season has caused the organization to reconsider their preseason decision to fully sideline Irving, sources said.
Kyrie Irving's return isn't expected quickly. He has to pass a series of Covid tests before he can start working out with team. Nets haven't seen him workout and are unclear the kind of shape he's in now. He's expected to take his time ramping up again.
Rob Parker believes this is a bad idea by the Nets:
"I think the Nets have made a mistake here. The big mistake is ultimately if they get to where they want, they're setting themselves up where he won't be able to play in the post-season or play part-time. I just think for a cohesiveness of a team, everybody's kind of gotta be in...It seems strange the timing because of what's happening with COVID. I just think you get all the way to the NBA Finals and he won't be able to play the four home games for the Nets in Brooklyn..."
Chris Broussard thinks the move is justified because James Harden and Kevin Durant alone aren't enough to
"I thought that the Nets could win the championship with just James Harden and Kevin Durant. I thought they could win it without Kyrie...But James Harden has not played like a superstar. He's played okay/pretty good but I don't think they're good enough without Kyrie to win a championship and probably not even the east."
Here's an official statement from the Brooklyn Nets: