Kyrie Irving clearly still hates Boston.
One would think that the ire directed at Kyrie Irving from the city of Boston would not be the result of such a short stint with their basketball team. After all, he only spent two seasons there before bouncing to an ill-fated Brooklyn squad. Recent comments from Irving show that he’d like us to believe the hate flows one way, but I’m not buying it.
Kyrie Irving thinks he’s very clever. The Mavericks guard has never been shy about speaking his mind, even at the cost of shoe deals. In a recent interview, he described Celtics culture as a “cult”:
“I think that’s what I struggled with initially, was figuring out how I’m going to be a great player here while winning championships and also leading a team and selflessly joining the Celtics’ organization or the cult that they have here. That’s what they expect you to do as a player. They expect you to seamlessly buy into the Celtics’ pride, buy into everything Celtics. And if you don’t, then you’ll be outed”
Kyrie Irving via Inside the Celtics
Claiming he got “outed” from Boston is simply hilarious. He has admitted to some of his shortcomings publicly, but that doesn’t paint the whole picture. Kyrie Irving has been downright antagonistic to the city. He initially envisioned himself as joining the pantheon of greats in the rafters of the Garden, hoping his jersey would one day be retired there. Just one year later, he did a complete 180. He backed out on a promise to re-sign with the team in 2018, reportedly switching from commitment to secretly contemplating a trade request in 15 days. This was in October, months before he publicly backtracked his comments. It’s laughable.
Before the 2018-2019 season was over, Kyrie Irving had already alienated Boston. He ran off to join Kevin Durant in Brooklyn that summer. He stomped on the Boston logo after defeating them in the playoffs. These aren’t the actions of someone who doesn’t understand the moment they’re in, they’re the actions of a 100% bonafide hater. Calling his former team a “cult” and telling prospective players they “need to do their homework” reeks of arrogance. He can try to couch it in clever language all he wants, but it’s clear what he means. There are so many other words to use with much less insidious connotations. He knows what he’s doing.
I think Kyrie Irving holds a grudge against Boston because it’s the city that forced him to learn he is always going to play second fiddle. He doesn’t get “outed” of anywhere, he runs himself out. He couldn’t live in LeBron’s shadow, and requested to leave. The Celtics went further in the playoffs without him than they did with him. He brought his dysfunction and media circus to the wannabe Nets superteam. Things seem okay in Dallas now, but let’s not forget he’s put that act on before. Boston confronted Kyrie, and I don’t think he’s ever going to forgive them for teaching him that lesson.
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