“I don't think I was at my best last time in Boston, and I'm not going to be at my best this season either, but you saw me in the playoffs (against the Brooklyn Nets in the 2022 playoffs) giving the finger and kind of losing my temper. That wasn't a good representation of who I am as a person and how I like to compete at a high level…I've been able to grow since then. So, obviously it's going to be a hectic environment, but I'm looking forward to it and I think it's going to be a healthy relationship with the fans.”
This is what Kyrie Irving told the media during his NBA Finals press conference on Monday about returning to Boston and dealing with the scrutiny and hostility he will face from fans during this series. Irving, now 32, spent two seasons with the Celtics after being traded from Cleveland, but many Boston fans were upset about his departure, believing he left the team after the 2019 playoffs to team up with his best friend Kevin Durant on the Nets.
Read more: Kyrie Irving thanks LeBron James for his comments, regrets not being able to play with him
Things haven't been smooth sailing between Irving and Celtics fans since he left the team in free agency. Instead, the bridge is on fire at both ends and fuel continues to be poured.
As mentioned above, there's been endless drama between the two, from him giving the finger to a fan taking an inbounds pass, stepping on Boston's “Lucky” logo at center of the court, a fan throwing a water bottle at him as he walked into the tunnel, yelling abuse at fans in the tunnel on his way back to the locker room, burning sage in the arena, and calling Celtics fans “dumped girlfriends who just want an explanation for why I left and are still expecting texts back.”
When the Mavericks traded Irving for these and numerous other reasons during his time with the Nets, many viewed him as a flight risk. When Dallas completely dropped out of playoff contention after trading him at the 2023 trade deadline, many wondered if he could coexist with superstar Luka Doncic or force his way to another destination, and those doubts intensified. Even after he re-signed with Dallas last offseason, people still said he would ask for a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers to reteam with LeBron James before the 2023-2024 transition.
Not only has Irving found a way to coexist with Doncic, but he's grown into a veteran presence and “calming voice,” as he said in his press conference on Monday. As much as his on-court production has led the Mavericks to the Finals, his leadership and maturity have come a long way since his days in Boston and Brooklyn. Whether it's after a highlight or a turnover, you'll often see Irving on the broadcast telling his teammates to stay focused and move on to the next play.
Doncic said of Irving, “He's helped me grow and made me see the game differently. It's great to play on the court with a guy like him, just go out there and have fun. It's great having him as a leader for us. Always has positive energy.”
That growth and maturity will be put to the test starting Thursday when Dallas plays in Boston for the NBA Finals. Though he's been great in the Dallas locker room, national media still wonders if he's come a long way from asking for a trade for LeBron James eight years ago because he wanted to be the team's front man and then happily sitting in Dallas as the No. 2 option alongside Doncic. He'll be able to prove that by handling what's expected to be a tumultuous environment.
To respond well, it is also important to play well. Irving has not played well against his former team recently. In his last 10 games against the Celtics (regular season and playoffs), he averaged 20.8 points and shot 42.2% from the field, all of which were losses. With the championship at stake against the best team in the NBA in the regular season, the Mavs cannot afford to make many mistakes.
A team full of players new to this stage will be looking to Irving for advice early and often as he makes his fourth NBA Finals appearance. If he continues to play the way he has in these playoffs, which I'm willing to bet on, Dallas has a great chance to win this series. If he takes offense at some of Boston's words or jabs, this series could be over in a flash.
Read more: Jason Kidd says Luka Doncic would be the best player in Dallas Mavericks history if he wins an NBA title
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