NBA Rumors: Irving To Return By All-Star Break, Says Journeyman Hoop Star

The Brooklyn Nets continue to wait on Kyrie Irving, who remains out of the lineup because of his stance against the COVID-19 vaccine.

Nothing much has changed, but the Brooklyn Nets have managed to survive even without the 29-year-old guard on the roster.

There is no telling when or if Irving will return to action for the Nets. Sports pundits have given their prediction, but one interesting take comes from an American basketball player who has spent countless years in Asia–Akeem Scott.

In an exclusive interview on Sports For All PH with Filipino journalists Vincent Juico and Brian Yalung, the 39-year-old weighed in on the status of the seven-time All-Star.

“Nobody should be forced to take the vaccine. This is your body. I think he should be allowed to do what he wants. I think Kyrie Irving is the type of who will say ‘Okay, I'm gonna do it. I’m gonna do it on my time. Don’t force me,'” the former ASEAN Basketball League import said.

However, Scott made an interesting prediction and suggested that Irving could still be playing this 2021-22 NBA season.

He made a fearless forecast as he is confident that “Uncle Drew” may pull off a surprise by the All-Star break.

“I’m saying is that he will be back around All-Star break or after All-Star because he is going to do it in his time and not the NBA’s,” Scott confidently stated.

Ironically, NBA fans will be casting their votes for their picks for the All-Star Game in a few weeks.

Even though he has yet to see action, Irving’s name will reportedly be included in the ballots--according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

“That leaves open the possibility that the Nets star could make his first, last and only appearance of the season in the All-Star Game. It’s unlikely and seems crazy, which pretty much makes it par for the course with the way Irving’s year has gone,” Lewis wrote.

The NBA All-Star Game will be held in Cleveland on February 20, 2022.