Michael Jordan Supports NBA’s Vaccine Plan: ‘I’m A Firm Believer in Science’

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Count Michael Jordan among those who believe NBA players should do their part to end the COVID-19 pandemic by getting vaccinated.

The all-time great discussed the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols during a Monday interview with Craig Melvin on NBC’s “TODAY” (h/t Jack Baer of Yahoo Sports) and said he believes in the science and what the league is doing with the season approaching.

“I am total in unison with the league,” he said. “And I think everybody, you know, has been speaking about the vaccinations. 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 to be fine.”

Whether players are vaccinated or not has been a major talking point throughout the offseason.

While the league required its officials and most staff members to be vaccinated, Adrian Wojnarowski and Baxter Holmes reported the NBA Players Association called such a requirement a “non-starter” when the two sides were negotiating health and safety protocols.

Although the league does not require vaccines for players, local laws are another issue.

Local mandates for the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks mean players who are not vaccinated cannot play in home games.

What’s more, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported unvaccinated players who violate Canada’s Quarantine Act could face up to six months in prison and $750,000 in fines during road games against the Toronto Raptors.

Andrew Wiggins and Kyrie Irving have been the two most high-profile players when it comes to those mandates.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters Wiggins was eventually vaccinated, but Nets head coach Steve Nash said that may not be the case for Irving.

“I think we recognize he’s not playing home games,” Nash said. “We’re going to have to for sure play without him this year. So it just depends on when, where and how much.”

Irving’s status remains up in the air, but it seems as if Jordan would suggest he should get vaccinated and trust the science.