Shawa and Barkley expressed their incomprehension that Owen would not be vaccinated and demanded that he be vaccinated

As the Nets prepare to play against the Bucks on NBA opening night without Kyrie Irving, league commissioner Adam Schaewer gives Brooklyn's star point guard a simple message: get vaccinated.

Speaking to the NBA on TNT staff before the game began, Hewah expressed disappointment that Irving was not on the team and made it clear in his message that he believed Irving should be vaccinated against COVID-19 and rejoined his team.

"I know it's not just Carey, there are people in this country who disagree with the idea of getting vaccinated," Mr. Suwa said. "But, at least from what I know, science is firmly on the side of vaccination, which is essentially a miracle vaccine."

Xiao Hua is not the only one who has called for Irving to be vaccinated, and Hall of Famer Charles Barkley also spoke about the issue on TNT's pre-game show. Barkley urged Irving to consider those around him who could be affected by his decision not to vaccinate, while applauding the Nets' refusal to let Irving join the team as a part-time player.

"First of all, you don't vaccinate yourself. You vaccinated other people... I think everyone should be vaccinated," Buckley said. "I'm really proud of the Nets because they put their feet down and said we're not going to give up halfway. The only thing that bothers me is that he'll still sit at home and make $17 million. ”

Silver continues to support vaccines and tries to appeal to Owen on a level beyond the implications of his basketball career in Irving's decision, arguing that vaccination plays an integral role in a functioning society.

"It has saved tens of millions of lives. I think at some point, in order for Carey to be a part of society — leaving this coalition aside — he needs to be vaccinated," Silver said. "It's the law of New York: if you want to play in the arena, if you want to go to the arena, if you want to go to the arena, you need to get vaccinated, and that's where he finds himself."