Miami Heat: COVID vaccine mandate won’t cause issues in South Beach
By Jack Simone
The circling issue of a COVID vaccine mandate has become extremely prominent in recent weeks. While some NBA teams may have issues, the Miami Heat will not be one of them.
Various players from around the league have spoken out in recent weeks against the idea of a vaccine mandate. Players such as Kyrie Irving and Andrew Wiggins have led the charge.
Well, NBA media day gave some more players the opportunity to voice their opinions on the matter. It also allowed reporters the chance to ask teams about their vaccination status.
The COVID vaccine mandate won’t affect the Miami Heat
Players such as Bradley Beal and Michael Porter Jr both gave their thoughts on getting the vaccine. Neither is in favor of it, but since neither plays in New York or San Francisco, it shouldn’t be too big of an issue.
For players like Irving and Wiggins, though, the problem becomes a lot worse. According to New York and San Francisco, players who are not fully vaccinated will not be allowed to play in home games.
The NBA followed this up by saying that players who elect not to get the vaccine will not be paid for the games they miss because of it. This is a dangerous line to be walking for both the players and the league.
However, this issue will not be rearing its ugly head in South Beach anytime soon. According to the Associated Press, the Miami Heat expect their team to be fully vaccinated by the time the NBA season begins.
Regardless of one’s beliefs about the vaccine, this should be great news for Miami Heat fans. This means that none of their players will have to miss games this year because of the vaccine.
Instead of talking about the vaccine at media day, the Miami Heat were focused on other antics. Jimmy Butler even interrupted Kyle Lowry’s press conference to promote his coffee brand.
The issue of the COVID vaccine seems like it will not be going away anytime soon. For fans of teams such as the Nets, Knicks, and Warriors, this is not a good thing.
However, it’s nothing but clear skies for the Miami Heat. All that drama can stay far, far away from South Beach.