In a chat with the media before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving expressed gratitude to his former team, the Boston Celtics, who happens to be his opponent for the upcoming series. Reflecting on his time with the Celtics, Irving explained that he would not be the man he is today without having experienced his time there.
“I would not be here without Boston, literally and figuratively just because without me going through what I went through here, I would not be who I am today,” said Irving in a chat with ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
"I would not be here without Boston, literally and figuratively just because without me going through what I went through here, I would not be who I am today… I'm grateful that I have history here."
Kyrie Irving on his time with the Celtics.pic.twitter.com/nMYOsyZFl1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 6, 2024
Irving, age 32, did not hide from his controversial past. In fact, he was open and honest about his “ups and downs” with the franchise and has come to embrace it as a part of his learning process.
“I’m grateful that I have history here,” said Kyrie. “But I’ve accepted it and I think that’s the most beautiful part about this journey.”
The 8x NBA All-Star went on to say that he’s found closure with his past and has absolved anyone from blame for his previous decisions.
“It’s just accepting what I’ve gone through, who I was, forgiving that person, forgiving myself. I’ve done my best not to play the blame game,” said Irving. “It’s so easy to blame others or blame what’s going on outside of you but once you go inside and you figure out who you are it’s pretty easy to navigate.”
In two seasons for the Celtics, just 127 games, Irving delivered on the court with averages of 24.1 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game on 48% shooting. The farthest the Celtics ever got under his watch was the East Semi-Finals and by the time he left in 2019, the entire situation had become borderline toxic.
Between calling out his own teammates, distancing himself in the locker room, and making false promises to the fans, it’s no wonder why the fans in Boston still hold a grudge against the 8x All-Star and it’s expected to get loud every time he touches the ball.
Kyrie Irving Says He’s Happy With The Mavericks
Alongside Luka Doncic, Kyrie has found success with the Mavericks and he says that he’s here to stay. Despite his connection with LeBron James and his ties to the Celtics and Nets, Irving is fully committed to his new team and wherever they go from here.
“The future is still being written, said Irving. “But I can tell you that with all the extensions that are going around… I don’t mind being complimentary if we’re gonna continue to put this band together… I am enjoying my time here [with the Mavs].”
With Luka Doncic running the show, Irving has taken on more of a sidekick role for the Mavericks, similar to how it was with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But as the Mavericks close in on a championship, Irving has embraced the role and he’s decided to accept whatever conditions are needed to result in success for the team. If Irving can stay consistent and continue to support Doncic as he has been, I think the Mavs will be a tough team to beat in the Finals and this may only be the first of a long line of successful playoff runs.
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