Amid all the struggles this season, Boston Celtics star guard Kyrie Irving still believes that no one can beat his team in the Eastern Conference.
After suffering their fourth defeat in the row in the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers, 97-92, Irving reiterated his confidence in his squad. For the 26-year-old, no single team can match up with them once they lock in.
Per Jay King of The Athletic:
Kyrie Irving reiterated he doesn’t think anyone can compete with the Celtics in a series if they’re playing the way they’re supposed to. Sounds very excited for the playoffs.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) February 28, 2019
Irving harkened back to the 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers squad. To recall, the Cavs team led by him and LeBron James finished with a 50-32 record for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Come playoff time, the Cavaliers breezed their way to the NBA Finals.
The Celtics, who were the number one seed then, were eliminated in just five games.
Kyrie brought up 2017 Cavs: "We lose a bunch of games in a row and we end up sweeping the whole Eastern Conference. I don't think anybody in the Eastern Conference can really compete with us at a high level when we're playing the way we're supposed to be playing."
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) February 28, 2019
Such comments by Irving come in after a spate of rumors questioning the chemistry among the Celtics players. According to people close to the situation, the Celtics team is comprised of individuals, not groups. Irving, too, has been tagged as an ineffective leader.
This lack of off-court unison has trickled on over the basketball court. On paper, they are one of the most talented teams in the NBA. But this talent hasn't necessarily translated into wins.
The good thing about the Celtics is that they have ample time to finetune their game before the playoffs begin.
By that time, we can see if Irving's words turn out to be prophetic.
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