Rudy Gobert, Utah’s center, revealed that he had much thought before deciding to get vaccinated. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio coach, has already received his booster shot. Ime Udoka, a Boston coach, had his shots and was positive for COVID-19.

Kyrie Irving, a Brooklyn guard, keeps everyone guessing.

Monday was the start of the NBA season. Media days were held in advance of training camp. The ongoing pandemic is as important as basketball. The pandemic has affected at least three seasons, but it is not the last. Some teams have revealed that all their players are fully vaccinated before the start of the season.

Gobert, the first NBA player to test positive for COVID-19 back in March 2020, stated, “When it felt right, I did it.”

The same applies to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks. He isn’t sure if the vaccine will cause any problems down the line.

Antetokounmpo, a father of two, said that his family was a key factor in his decision to get vaccinated.

“I did the best thing for my family’s safety. Antetokounmpo stated, “You do what it takes to make sure your family is OK.”

Popovich stated that the Spurs have a fully-vaccinated roster. Popovich stated that the Spurs have a fully vaccinated roster. The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks both said last week they would do the same. Other clubs, including Houston, Portland, Houston, Charlotte, and Utah, also said they were at 100%.

Other teams are on the verge of being fully vaccinated.

Miami will be ready by the start the season, a source familiar with the situation said to The Associated Press Monday, under the condition of anonymity because the Heat vaccine rate is not publically disclosed by the team.

Bobby Webster, Toronto’s general manager, said that the Raptors are only one dose away from being there. Travis Schlenk, Atlanta’s GM was also positive.

The leaguewide rate is estimated to be at around 90%, and rising.

Popovich stated that “there is still a lot going on out there.” Popovich said, “You can see all the bumps and cases. It’s easy to see the places where people have not been vaccinated. It’s a double-edged weapon. I believe we are in good health right now. We are doing our best to ensure safety, but we have to be disciplined every day.

Players who have been vaccinated won’t be tested as often, but players who have not been vaccinated will be tested at least once a game day and on travel days.

Bradley Beal, Washington’s basketball player, is on the unvaccinated list. He was positive after being tested.

Beal stated that he is not vaccinated because of “personal reasons” and had questions about how the virus can be transmitted even though he was vaccinated.

“Would you believe that I would love to tell you that 100% of our children have been vaccinated?” “I’d love to tell you that,” Denver coach Michael Malone stated. “The truth is that we are not, and that’s all that I can say about who is and who isn’t. It’s a delicate balance. It’s not my place to tell someone that they must be vaccinated.

Irving is the current focus of the debate in the NBA.

New York’s local rules require that Irving be vaccinated in order to play at home for the Nets this season which Andrew Wiggins, Golden State’s attorney, unsuccessfully sought from the NBA since San Francisco has similar rules.

Wiggins stated Monday, “I’m just going keep fighting for what my believe.”

Irving was not present at the media day in Brooklyn Monday. Instead, he appeared remotely and refused to reveal if he will play in home games.

Irving stated, “Please respect my privacy.”

Kevin Durant, Nets forward, said at media day that he was adding Durant to the team. He made that decision on his own.

Irving will keep his reasoning and status private. Jonathan Isaac, Orlando’s son, is not.

Isaac’s mother is a health care worker and has already had COVID-19. Although he has not been vaccinated yet, he insists that he isn’t anti-vaccine, anti medicine, or anti-science.

Isaac stated, “I thank God, and I’m grateful that vaccines are available and we can protect ourself and have the means to do so,” “That said, I believe that every individual should decide their vaccine status. I don’t mind admitting that I am uncomfortable with the idea of getting the vaccine.

Media Day can have its moments and Durant was one of them. Durant was asked why people call him “KD” by “Dave from Basketball Digest.” Durant did not outwardly smile at the questioning, but he got laughs from the media present.

Popovich met with reporters in San Antonio to ask the tough question of shooting in basketball. In Miami, Jimmy Butler crashed Kyle Lowry’s first Heat appearance to try to get him to endorse his coffee company.

Lowry stated, “He’s going pay me very handsomely.”

Reminders were also given that the pandemic was not over.

Udoka is entering his first season with the Celtics. He has completed a 10-day quarantine following a positive test. He plans to return to practice Tuesday. Devin Booker, Phoenix’s coach, was not present at Suns media days. He is already in league safety and health protocols. This indicates that there may have been some testing or contact-tracing problem.

Camps are now available. The plan is for a regular 82-game season. Buildings will see fans again. Popovich, who is the NBA’s longest-tenured coach and claimed he qualifies for his booster shot because he’s only 72, may have summarised the NBA’s current order perfectly with the following assessment: “Normalcy with a good deal of caution.”

Malcolm Brogdon, an Indiana guard, stated that he believes getting vaccinated should be your choice. It’s your decision. We are trying to protect the entire NBA. We’re not just protecting our team; we are trying to protect the entire NBA.”