Kyrie Irving is likely one of the most disliked players in Boston Celtics history after spurning them in free agency and seemingly sabotaging their season with his moodiness and a constantly combative attitude, one that was unleashed on teammates and media alike.
That said, it’s no question that the most beloved players in the team’s recent memory — like those from the Celtics’ last championship team — have taken issue with how Irving’s tenure in Boston ended, even seeking to disparage the star guard’s mentality.
However, there’s a difference between a rational opinion — one that may not dominate the airwaves but will have lasting power — and one that follows loose logic. Unfortunately, for former Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (a 15-time All-Star), his latest comments on Irving missed the mark.
Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News asked Garnett whether or not he was surprised that Irving left Boston and here was his response:
“No,” he said flatly before pausing for laughs and implying that Irving, who signed with the Nets for $144 million, didn’t have the mental makeup for Beantown.
“Boston’s a tough town, dawg. You have to have some major cojones to be there. You got to want that. The people want it for you. That’s why Paul (Pierce) is perfect for it. Paul wants the shot every time. Like, ‘You’re 0-for-14.’ And he’s like, ‘I know, but they WANT it.’”
Of all the reasons that Irving could be criticized for his performance or character last season, his unwillingness to take tough shots isn’t anywhere on the list. In fact, the opposite could be said to be true, as Irving seemingly hijacked the offense in the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs despite playing horribly against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Considering that Irving also is well-known to have come from the Kobe Bryant school of thought, with the future Hall of Fame guard acting as Irving’s longtime mentor, it’s further unlikely that Irving lacked either the shooter’s mentality (to keep shooting no matter what) or what one would call mental toughness (at least on the court).
Actually, a lot like Kobe did with the Lakers, Kyrie caused plenty of internal friction and believed himself to be the team’s savior (not to say it wasn’t true, in Bryant’s case). It’s just that it was received much different, in large part because Irving neither stuck out the tough times with the Celtics as Bryant did with the Lakers, nor won a championship in Boston.
Nobody could reasonably argue that with two All-Star appearances in two seasons and an All-NBA selection last season that Irving didn’t dominate on the court. Just like nobody can reasonably argue that Irving’s attitude off-the-court didn’t affect the team’s ability to be consistent on it.
Garnett’s comments on Irving’s time in Boston failed to capture the true essence of the issue, which was that Irving didn’t win enough — or anything of significance — while he was suiting up for the team. In addition to the fact that he left the team as a free agency and telegraphed the move.
Although, by the time he left, it’s fair to question whether or not the team or fans wanted him back.