On Thursday night, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks will play Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics in Massachusetts.
Irving spent two seasons with Boston, but his tenure did not live up to expectations.
The team failed to get out of the second round of the playoffs, and he joined the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent in the summer of 2019.
Before Game 1, Irving was interviewed. Malika Andrews of ESPN I was asked about Boston.
Andrews: “We're sitting here in a building that many of you know well, TD Garden. We've been through a lot of ups and downs in Boston. How do you look back on those times now?”
Irving: “Without Boston, I wouldn't be here. Literally and figuratively. I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't go through the experiences I did here. And I literally wouldn't be here if I didn't meet my mom and dad at Boston University. I'm grateful to have made history here. There have been good times and bad times, but I've embraced it.”
Irving is in his second year with Dallas after being traded via the Nets midway through the 2022-23 season.
Through the first 17 games of the 2024 playoffs, the former Duke University star is averaging 22.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.5% from the field and 42.1% from 3-point range.
The 2016 NBA champion also played for the Mavs, Nets and Celtics as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers during his 13 seasons in the league.
“Without Boston, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be who I am today if I hadn't gone through what I went through here, literally and figuratively. I'm thankful that there's history here.”
Kyrie Irving reflects on his time with the Celtics.pic.twitter.com/nMYOsyZFl1
— Clutch Points (@ClutchPoints) June 6, 2024
