“I believe in the vaccine”; Warriors’ Kerr backs shots while avoiding criticism of Wiggins

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Steve Kerr did not offer any update on the vaccination status of starting little forward Andrew Wiggins after training camp’s first practice on Tuesday, but the Warriors head coach gave a glimpse of how the The team sees the problem.

In response to a question about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who this week suggested NBA players should be mandated to get the coronavirus shot, Kerr said: I believe in the vaccine. Our team believes in it. We live in a world where everyone is divided, and everything becomes a political tool. You say one thing, and it becomes a weapon, either for you or against you. You have to navigate all of this with delicacy. We try to treat everyone with respect, and I think that’s all we can do: respect each other, try to communicate on a really sane level, and see where it all goes.

Wiggins has been under public fire since The Chronicle revealed he was only the only Warriors player to avoid the vaccination. On Friday, the NBA rejected his request for a religious exception.

Three days later, Wiggins supported his decision but did not explain his reasoning in a group interview on media day. Under the San Francisco indoor vaccination policy that goes into effect Oct. 13, if Wiggins is not vaccinated he will not be able to play at home and will lose over $ 350,000 per game. The Warriors open their season Oct. 19 against the Lakers in Los Angeles and return to San Francisco two days later for their home opener against the Clippers.

My back is definitely against the wall, but I will continue to fight for what I believe in, whether it’s one thing or another, to get the shot or not to get the shot, Wiggins said on Monday. I’m just going to keep fighting for what I believe and what I believe is right. What’s right for one person isn’t right for the other, you know?

San Francisco’s health ordinance requiring vaccination for entry to large indoor events, such as NBA games at the 18,000-seat Chase Center, does not include visiting players. League players are now vaccinated at a rate greater than 90%, but opponents who are not vaccinated can play in San Francisco if they stay at least 6 feet from the public, provide a negative coronavirus test within 48 hours following the match and remain masked when not actively playing.

I’m a basketball coach, so I rely on science and the experts, Kerr said when asked if the ordinance could create a home disadvantage. It had been a year and a half since it started, and people are still dying. People are still getting sick. Whatever the experts suggest, this is what I would follow. It’s not an area of ​​expertise, so I’m just trying to build on the research that is out there.

I support anything that will keep us safe and through the pandemic.

Wiggins was a full participant in training for the Warriors’ first training camp on Tuesday, and Kerr said he was not working on contingency plans for the possibility of the team’s second-highest scorer missing the half of the season.

There is no sense in speculating right now, Kerr said. In an NBA season, what I’ve learned is that a million things happen. You simply adapt on the fly. If you tried to prepare for every eventuality, you would be going in circles. He practices. He looks great. He is in a good mood. His teammates love him. His coaches love him. Were happy that he was in the building, and were all working and getting ready for the season.

Adapt well accordingly.

Green remains on excused absence: Draymond Green has still not shown up to camp after being granted an excused personal absence. The team did not disclose the reason for the Greens’ absence, saying only that they are hoping hell will come in a few days.

Kerr was unwilling to reveal the reason for the absence, but said the team had been in contact with Green for about last week about the situation.

Well, keep his personal belongings private, but he’s got an excused absence until he’s ready to come on, Kerr said of Green, who was at the Los Angeles Rams home game on Sunday. Well be here working, and we can’t wait to find him. Some things always take precedence over a basketball game.

Rusty Simmons is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron

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