The beginning of September is a sign that the 2017-2018 NBA season is nearly here as training camp is set to open in the following weeks. After a long summer of preparing, players will soon be able to show what they have managed to improve on during the offseason.
For the Boston Celtics, there is a new air of hope and optimism for a title run as they were able to not only sign Gordon Hayward in free agency, but also acquire Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a blockbuster deal.
Irving will now get the opportunity to play under one of the brightest young head coaches in the NBA in Brad Stevens and according to Scott Souza of GateHouse Media, the two have already begun to foster their relationship.
#Celtics Brad Stevens: I coached you in a game where we gave up 197 points.
Kyrie Irving: It goes back to playing both ends of the floor.— Scott Souza (@Scott_Souza) September 1, 2017
Irving has a negative reputation on the defensive end as he often looks to focus all his attention and energy on the offensive side of the ball. Still, the superstar point guard has shown flashes of defensive ability, most notably in the 2016 NBA Finals when he took on the challenge of guarding Stephen Curry one-on-one.
Stevens will now be tasked with trying to integrate two talented players on a deep Celtics team trying to push the Cavaliers and LeBron James off their Eastern Conference throne. Irving's presence makes Boston a legitimate championship contender and we will have to wait and see how he looks on his new team.
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