Boston Celtics newcomers Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving are already forming a bond after their first few games together during the preseason, already aware of the task ahead come opening night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Hayward noted he wants to win this season opener not just for the letters in front of his jersey, but for Irving, who chose to leave the Cavs that led to the start his career as a member of the Celtics.
“Yeah, it's gonna be a fun atmosphere for sure,” Hayward said Thursday night at the team's annual Shamrock Foundation gala, according to Jay King of MassLive. “A huge game for Kyrie and I think one we're all looking to play our best for him. Not only for the team, but for him. We know it's a big game for him.”
The new star point guard of the Celtics will try to keep level-headed in what is bound to be an outpour of emotions from everyone in the arena, including the pre-game tension before the former Celtics who don wine and gold as well.
“All the kind of energy behind it is created anywhere except from me,” said Irving. “That's pretty much it. It's all created from the excitement and the division of, let's get it to be Cleveland vs. Boston. And I understand that. That's what makes basketball great. It's what makes the NBA great. It makes your job great as well and all our jobs as well. Because it's all from literally two hoops and a basketball, so the excitement is garnered over time. And I can even see that it's starting to brew up now.”
“So it's pretty exciting. I'm just more (excited) to get back and see all the individuals that I got a chance to meet, and got to introduce myself to and got to know over my six years there. And then put the ball in the hoop. And hopefully we come out with a win there in Cleveland.”
Al Horford, the lone remaining starter from last season, has only worn the Celtics uniform for one year and can still remember what it was like for him to wear a different jersey after wearing the Atlanta Hawks' red for the first nine years of his career.
“A lot of emotions. It's definitely a lot of emotions,” Horford said. “I think I told you (at the time), but when I went back to Atlanta the first time I didn't really think much of it. But then getting to see when I was walking into the arena, the people that work in the arena, the media people, some fans, people that I've known for many, many years, that's when it kind of starts getting to you. So I'm sure Kyrie will go through something similar.”
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