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It’s been six months since Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins – and his then-teammate Kent Bazemore – publicly declared that he had not been vaccinated, had no intention of getting the shot. and did not plan to get the vaccine unless he was “forced”.
It was a frustrating feeling for those investing in science or public health, but mostly it seemed inconsequential. A popular figure publicly espousing an anti-vaccination stance is certainly not a good thing, but neither is it new. And that didn’t really seem to have an impact on the Warriors.
And then we all realized that to wait … maybe made impact the warriors. San Francisco (along with New York City) announced a law requiring hosts of large indoor events to be vaccinated, meaning any unvaccinated Warriors player or staff could not play home games at the Chase. Center, or attend workouts and team practices when at home.
All the while, I assumed Wiggins had been vaccinated. In the six months since his declaration, public sentiment for the vaccine developed positively, countless more studies were published, and the vaccine was fully approved by the FDA. If that hadn’t changed Wiggins’ opinion, I assumed that the threat of sacrificing half of his salary would fall into the category of being “forced”.
But apparently not. Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Wednesday that Wiggins was still unvaccinated, despite Warriors officials putting him in touch with a local doctor to discuss the safety and importance. And now the Warriors stand to lose their starting striker for half of their games, while Wiggins stand to lose 41 game checks worth around $ 380,000 each.
We’re just learning it now, when Wiggins (barring medical or religious exemption) has about a week to get a single dose vaccine if he doesn’t want to miss any workouts (the law goes into effect October 13), and about two weeks to get the shot if he wants to play the team’s home opener on October 21.
And I doubt the timing is a coincidence.
At this point, the Warriors have surely done all they can do internally. They briefed Wiggins on local regulations and what that means. They explained how his absence will hurt the team and showed him the more than $ 15 million figure he would sacrifice. They probably pleaded with him. They took him to a doctor and asked him to listen.
And now it looks like they are turning to the fans.
All leaks happen for a reason. If information gets from person to medium, it’s almost always because that person or team is trying to accomplish something.
Are the Warriors hoping that by releasing information about Wiggins’ reluctance to get the shot, the fan base will start to pressure the public?
Wiggins has been a fan favorite since joining Golden State. His quality defense, durability and professional demeanor have won over much of the fan base. Still, I don’t think the majority of them will stand by his side if he refuses to get the shot, and not only endangers the public but seriously impacts the team.
Read the comments on my post yesterday on Wiggins’ stance, or watch the responses on Twitter to the news, and it’s clear that much of the fanbase is turning to Wiggins, upset that he is doing something. which they consider both stupid and harmful.
Maybe that was the Warriors’ plan. When all else fails, turn to the fans. Remember how injured LeBron James and Kevin Durant were when they left the teams that recruited them for greener pastures and saw the fans’ reactions? Being less in the eyes of the fans seemed to be genuinely gutting for both of them.
Maybe it will happen with Wiggins. Perhaps seeing himself fall out of favor with a fan base who embraced him will be the motivation he needs to do his part in basic public health and safety.
It may be a long time. It may also be the only blow left for the Warriors.
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