Kyrie Irving`s tenure with the Boston Celtics was, by most accounts, a complex and ultimately rocky two-year period culminating in his departure via free agency. This move followed a public declaration of intent to re-sign, leading to significant disappointment among the Celtics faithful. Given this history, it was somewhat surprising when Irving recently offered notably positive reflections on his time in Boston during a live stream conversation with his former teammate, now Celtics star, Jaylen Brown.
Irving conveyed a sense of genuine excitement surrounding his initial arrival in Boston. He spoke of personal ties to the city, mentioning his father`s attendance at a nearby school and his mother`s graduation from Boston University, which made the move feel particularly right. Beyond the familial connection, Irving highlighted the basketball opportunity itself as an “opportunity of a lifetime.”
Acquired by the Celtics in a significant trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017, Irving became the focal point of a young, highly talented roster that included Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Gordon Hayward. Irving noted during the stream that being on the court with such potential after his time in Cleveland provided a necessary “change of pace.” He explicitly stated that the daily challenge posed by his Celtics teammates was something he “needed” for his personal and professional growth. He described the experience of first putting on the Celtics uniform as “crazy,” underscoring the significance of joining the storied franchise.
While the Celtics` ultimate goal of an NBA championship did not materialize during Irving`s time with the team—it would arrive years later, after his departure—his comments suggest that despite the well-documented difficulties and his controversial exit, he holds a degree of unexpected fondness for the developmental and competitive aspects of his time in Boston.
In other news concerning Irving`s current status with the Dallas Mavericks, he also provided an update on his recovery from a recent knee injury. Irving is approaching his return with caution, refraining from setting a definitive timeline. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring he is fully recovered, stating his goal is to return “150,000% better,” prioritizing long-term health and readiness over a rushed comeback schedule.
Jasper Hawthorne