**DALLAS** — As Kyrie Irving gets ready for his third playoff face-off against the Celtics since leaving Boston, now in the NBA Finals, the 13-year veteran looks back on his short stint with the team with a mix of fondness and regret. He acknowledges some past reactions to the passionate Boston fan base that has often been hostile towards him.
Irving, regarded by his Dallas Mavericks teammates as the team’s vocal leader, spent two seasons with the Celtics before leaving in free agency to join his friend Kevin Durant with the Brooklyn Nets in the 2019 offseason.
Irving’s Nets faced the Celtics twice in the playoffs, defeating Boston in five games in the 2021 first round and getting swept in the 2022 first round, marking his last postseason appearance for Brooklyn. Memorable moments from these series include tense interactions with Celtics fans, like when a fan threw a water bottle at him after a 2021 Game 4 win, leading to the fan’s arrest, and Irving being fined $50,000 for flipping off fans during a Game 1 loss in 2022.
“I think I’m better at managing my emotions now,” Irving said after the Mavericks’ Monday practice. “We know it’s going to be tough in Boston. But there are bigger issues in the world than the competitive side of basketball.”
Reflecting on his behavior during the playoffs in Boston, Irving said, “Last time in Boston, I don’t think that was a great reflection of who I am. Losing my temper and flipping off fans wasn’t how I like to compete. It wasn’t a good example for the next generation about controlling your emotions in tough environments.”
Irving believes he’s now better prepared for such situations. “I’m built for these moments. I’ve grown since then. It’s going to be a hectic environment, but I see it as a healthy relationship with the fans. It’s satisfying to silence TD Garden when you’re playing well. They respect great basketball.”
During his two seasons with the Celtics, Irving was an All-Star. He joined Boston after requesting a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers following three consecutive Finals appearances and winning the 2016 championship. An injury kept him out of the entire 2018 postseason, where rookie Jayson Tatum and sophomore Jaylen Brown led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals. His impending free agency and uncertainty about staying in Boston overshadowed the next season, ending with a second-round playoff exit to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Irving acknowledges some fair criticism for his brief Boston tenure, given his status as one of the league’s top players, but feels more understanding could have been offered considering his personal challenges at the time.
“It was a chapter in my life that I mostly enjoyed,” Irving said of his time with the Celtics. “We had the potential to do great things, but personal reasons cut it short. The biggest lesson I learned in Boston was managing my emotions and leadership amidst daily challenges and balancing individual goals with the bigger picture.”
Irving expressed pride in seeing Tatum and Brown develop into elite stars, noting his efforts to share advice and wisdom with them during their time together. Although he maintains brotherly relationships with them, they haven’t communicated since their teams secured their spots in the Finals.
“This basketball stuff is competitive,” Irving said. “But knowing Tatum and Brown as people, they are really special. I cherish the relationships I formed in the Boston organization.”
Tatum, speaking after Boston’s practice Saturday, reminisced about playing with Irving during his first two seasons. “There were ups and downs, but I learned a lot from being around a superstar every day. On the court, Kyrie is one of the most talented players I’ve seen. It feels like a long time ago, but I have great memories of having Kai as a teammate.”
Tatum praised the fit between Irving and the Mavericks but also reflected on the lessons from the tumultuous 2018-19 season. “Being on a talented team isn’t enough. You need guys willing to sacrifice and do the little things for the team to succeed. It wasn’t just Kyrie; we all played a part in why that season wasn’t successful. We learned and moved on.”
Irving acknowledges that his history with the Celtics will be a major storyline in the Finals. He’s been “bombarded” with questions about Boston since leaving for Brooklyn but refuses to let the past hold him back.
“Despite the attention on my past with Boston, my focus is on leading my team. I need to be a voice of peace and help them navigate this,” said Irving, who has averaged 22.8 points and 5.2 assists per game this postseason, leading to the Finals alongside Luka Doncic.
