'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving reflected on his time with the Boston Celtics ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. His stint started great but didn't last long until the former top pick grew tired of the pressure of playing for the organization.
The breakup between the Celtics and Irving will always be a stain on the athlete's career. The former Duke star played in Boston from 2017-19 after being the second fiddle to LeBron James in Cleveland. Fans liked having a new star when he first arrived but the promises he made didn't help his tenure.
He expressed his desire to stay with the team as his contract was about to expire. The Celtics fans hoped for him to stay to help the development of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who were both rising stars at that time. However, he signed with the Brooklyn Nets to join Kevin Durant in 2019.
Now, each time he plays in Boston, the crowd treats him differently, with more boos than usual. Ahead of the fifth matchup in the NBA Finals on Monday, Irving talked about his time in Boston. He even blamed himself for not having an enjoyable time with the organization and threw subtle shade at the Celtics.
"When I look back at it, getting traded here, this wasn't one of my options," Irving said on Sunday. "When the trade opportunity got approached to me, instead of going back and appreciating the Celtics' history, I just came in with an open mind. ... I think that was the wrong approach."
Irving talked about how he should've taken the time to get to know people in the community and around the franchise. The eight-time All-Star said he should've been the one extending himself to others instead of the other way around.
"As a player, they expect you to seamlessly buy into the Celtics pride. If you don’t, you’re going to be outed. I’m one of the people who is on the outs," Irving laughed.
While he is still public enemy No. 1 for Celtics fans, Irving has shown maturity over the years and has put the drama in his past.
Also read: "He made a few people eat their words"- Kyrie Irving claps back at media for calling out Luka Doncic
Kyrie Irving sends out a warning to other players planning to join the Celtics
The Celtics have a significant following in the basketball world as they've won 17 championships (tied with the LA Lakers for most in NBA history). As someone who has experienced playing for the organization, Kyrie Irving gave a piece of advice to future players who want to join the Boston franchise.
"If any player is coming here, getting drafted here, thinking about coming here for free agency, getting traded here, I just think do your homework and make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into," Irving said. "That’s something I could offer."
Irving played 127 games for the Celtics and averaged 24.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
