(Photo : Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – A fan holds a sign with photos of Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden on November 27, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Looks like Kyrie Irving has gone soft on the Boston Celtics after years of animosity between them.
The Dallas Mavericks star has had a well-documented conflict with his former team since leaving them in 2021 for the Brooklyn Nets.
This includes him stomping on the Celtics logo, bringing candles to cleanse the arena, and describing in many interviews how he did not have fun in his two seasons there.
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Irving, who had his first win against the Celtics last Friday, is seeing things differently now.
He thinks he is the one to blame for the fallout.
“Now being older with hindsight looking back, I definitely would have taken time to know the people in the community and talked to some of the champions that have come before me,” Irving told reporters after Sunday’s shoot around.
“They have championship pedigree here … They expect you to seamlessly buy into the Celtics’ pride, buy into everything Celtics.”
Irving comments on ‘Kyrie Sucks’ chants
Boston Celtics fans in the arena never miss the chance to chant ‘Kyrie Sucks’ whenever the ball lands on Irving’s hands.
Given their bitter history, it is easy to think that Irving is the target of Boston fans’ deep-rooted hatred.
The one-time NBA champions see things differently when it comes to Celtics fans’ behavior.
He thinks the chant is just part of the game and their contributions.
Irving said they are just trying to get into his head, but he is more focused on overcoming that, especially now that they are in a deep hole in their NBA Finals series.
“I mean, let’s just call it what it is. When the fans are cheering, ‘Kyrie sucks,’ they feel like they have a psychological edge, and that’s fair,” he explained.
“Of course, if I’m not making shots or turning the ball over, that makes it even more of a pressing issue that they can stay on me for.”
Irving will experience the Boston crowd again on Tuesday as they try to survive another day for Game 5.
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