Kyrie Irving opened up about his Boston Celtics tenure ahead of facing them in the NBA Finals.
Per The Athletic’s Tim Cato, the Dallas Mavericks point guard said he “wasn’t my best self” during his stint in Boston. He was experiencing a difficult time off the court, as his grandmother died before the 2018-19 season.
“I don’t mind, after a few years, taking the brunt of the blame (for my time in Boston not working out),” Irving said. “(I’m) one of the best players in the world so I know what comes with that fair criticism. You know, 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.”
Irving spent two seasons with the Celtics and publicly expressed his plans to re-sign before joining the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. He also hopes to handle his return to Boston better.
In April 2022, Irving gave Celtics fans the middle finger during a game at TD Garden. He said at the time that he was giving hecklers the “same energy” they directed at him, but the 32-year-old said he’s gotten better at processing his emotions.
“Last time in Boston, when we played in the playoffs and everyone saw me flip off the birds and kind of lose my s— a little bit, that wasn’t a great reflection of who I am and how I like to compete on a high level,” Irving said. “It wasn’t a great reflection on my influence on the next generation, (with) what it means to control your emotions in that type of environment no matter what people are yelling at you.”
While he’s unlikely to receive a warmer welcome on Thursday night, Irving said Celtics fans “still respect great basketball” and believes he’s better prepared to manage the hostile crowd.
“I’m built for these moments, to be able to handle circumstances like that, and I’ve been able to grow since then,” Irving said. “Of course it’s going to be a hectic environment, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.