Charles Barkley on Kyrie Irving: 'You Don't Get the Vaccine for Yourself, You Get It for Other People'

Dan Heching
·2 min read
Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley

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Charles Barkley is making his feelings known when it comes to being vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Basketball Hall of Famer, 58, spoke on Inside the NBA on Tuesday and commented on the controversy surrounding Brooklyn Nets player Kyrie Irving's refusal to get vaccinated.

"You don't get the vaccine for yourself," Barkley stated. "You get it for other people."

RELATED: Kyrie Irving Speaks Out on Vax Stance After Brooklyn Nets Announce He Won't Play: 'I'm Still Uncertain'

"I got vaccinated, I can't wait to get the booster," he added, before continuing to say more on the importance of inoculation.

"You get vaccinated for your family first," the former All-Star said. "You get vaccinated for your teammates second."

Barkley then addressed Irving and his team specifically, saying, "That's what bugged me about this whole thing, I think everybody should get vaccinated."

RELATED VIDEO: Charles Barkley Reveals He Hasn't 'Touched a Basketball' Since the Day He Retired

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"I really am proud of the Nets for putting their foot down, for saying, 'No, we're not going to deal with this half on, half off [arrangement],' " he continued. (New York City's vaccine mandate prevents anyone over 12 years old from entering "covered premises" in the city, which includes the Nets' arena in Brooklyn, without proof of vaccination.)

"The only thing that bugs me, he's still going to make $17 million sitting at home," Barkley added.

His comments come after it was announced last week that the Nets decided to bar Irving from playing or practicing with his teammates until he gets vaccinated.

RELATED: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to Kyrie Irving: 'Get Vaccinated'

"Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently, the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team," Nets GM Sean Marks said at the time.

This week, the Nets began their season Tuesday night sans Irving, losing their first game to defending champions the Milwaukee Bucks.

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from the CDC, WHO and local public health departments. PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, click here.

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