Kyrie Irving’s time with the Boston Celtics has been a period of reflection for him, especially during the 2024 NBA Finals. Irving admitted that he didn’t fully embrace the lore and culture of the Celtics when he was traded to Boston from Cleveland in 2017. He felt pressure to seamlessly adopt the Celtics’ pride and values, and if he didn’t, he would be outed. Irving acknowledged that he didn’t receive a warm embrace from the Celtics organization.
The matchup between Irving and his former team in the finals has been an intriguing subplot. However, it hasn’t gone well for Irving so far. He’s averaging 21.0 points but isn’t shooting well, and the Mavericks trail 3-1 in the series. Nonetheless, Irving had an impressive performance in Game 3, scoring 35 points in a close loss. This game also ended a personal losing streak for Irving against the Celtics since leaving Boston.
Now, as the series moves back to TD Garden, Irving knows he will face chants of “Kyrie sucks” from the Boston crowd. He admitted that these chants were distracting for him in Games 1 and 2 of the finals. Irving acknowledged that the fans chanting against him believe they have a psychological edge, especially when he’s not performing well. He understands that silencing the doubts within himself is just as important as silencing the crowd.
The motivation behind the taunting and jeering from the Boston crowd can be traced back to Irving’s tumultuous last season with the Celtics. He initially said he would sign a long-term extension but clashed with teammates and coaches, withdrew his promise, disengaged in the playoffs, and eventually left as a free agent. When Irving returned to Boston as a member of the Brooklyn Nets, he burned sage to “cleanse the energy” of the arena, further alienating himself from the local fans.
Irving admitted that his mistakes in Boston stemmed from the trade itself, which he demanded from Cleveland. However, he didn’t specifically ask to be traded to the Celtics. He came into Boston with an open mind but realizes now that it was the wrong approach. Irving believes he should have embraced the Celtics’ history, including their 17 titles, and sought counsel from former Celtics players who understand the pressure and expectations that come with playing for the team.
At age 32, Irving has learned from his tumultuous years since his trade demand in Cleveland and recognizes that he wasn’t personally prepared to handle the expectations in Boston. He wishes he had shown more respect and sought guidance from Celtics legends who came before him. Irving’s reflections on his time with the Celtics demonstrate his growth and maturity as a player.
In conclusion, Kyrie Irving’s time with the Boston Celtics has been a period of self-reflection and realization. He admits that he didn’t fully embrace the Celtics’ culture and wishes he had sought guidance from former players. Irving’s performance in the 2024 NBA Finals has been mixed, but he acknowledges the psychological impact of the Boston crowd’s chants. Overall, Irving’s journey with the Celtics serves as a lesson in humility and personal growth.