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[Saba Sports News] Kyrie Irving knows he won’t receive a warm welcome when the NBA Finals tip off in Boston on Thursday night, but the Dallas Mavericks star insists he is ready for whatever comes his way.
Irving is expected to be the most disliked player at TD Garden during Game 1 and beyond. His two seasons with the Celtics from 2017 to 2019 were tumultuous, with Irving initially promising to re-sign with Boston before leaving to join Kevin Durant on the Brooklyn Nets. This has left his relationship with Celtics fans strained.
Many have speculated on how Irving will handle the hostile environment, but he has a plan.
“You just gotta breathe through it,” Irving said. “To all my youngins out there dealing with crowd reactions, you have to breathe and realize it’s not as hostile as you think. Don’t overthink it. I’ve learned to turn anxiety and nervousness into strength.”
Earlier this week, Irving expressed regret over past interactions with Celtics fans, including making obscene gestures and disrespecting the team’s midcourt logo, which led to a fan throwing a water bottle at him.
Irving faced the Celtics twice in the playoffs with the Brooklyn Nets, winning in 2021 but being swept in 2022. With even higher stakes this time, Irving is determined to block out the noise.