Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving will return to Boston as his team takes on the Celtics in the NBA Finals. Reflecting on his two-year stint with the Celtics, Irving anticipates a hostile reception from Boston fans.
“I don’t mind, after a few years, taking the brunt of the blame,” Irving said. He acknowledged the criticism that comes with being one of the best players in the world.
Irving noted that more grace could have been extended to him during his time in Boston, considering what he was dealing with personally.
“it’s just that a little bit more grace could have been extended my way, especially with what I was dealing with during that time as a human being,” he said. “I know sometimes in sports, it’s literally about the end goal and result in what you accomplish, and that’s one thing. But we’re still human.
“At the end of the day, I wasn’t my best self during that time. When I look back on it, I just see it as a time where I learned how to let go of things and learned how to talk through my emotions.
“I came into the league at 19 years old not knowing how to be a young man as of yet because this whole lifestyle was thrown at me. I was expected to do wondrous things, but I just wanted to continue to develop as a human being and once I put that first, then you see me flourishing.”
Irving admitted his behavior during a playoff game in Boston, where he flipped off the crowd, was not a great reflection of who he is.
Irving has been a key contributor for the Mavericks in the playoffs alongside Luka Doncic. He has averaged 22.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 40.2 minutes per game.
His return to Boston in the NBA Finals will be closely watched, both for his performance and the reception from Celtics fans.
