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Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is well-acquainted with TD Garden and was fully expecting to get heckled by the Boston faithful Thursday night. Irving then had one of his worst games in recent memory, but the fan reaction wasn't exactly what he expected.
Irving thought that Celtics fans would be harsher on him amidst his 12-point outing.
“It’s basketball at the end of the day. Being in this environment, I’m used to it at this point. Earlier in my career, there was a different relationship that I had with Boston… I thought it was gonna be a little louder in here.”
Kyrie Irving on the environment and Celtics… pic.twitter.com/z1nJpYc1hR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 7, 2024
“It's basketball at the end of the day,” Irving said. “Being in this environment, I'm used to it at this point. Earlier in my career, there was a different relationship that I had with Boston. Just being able to come here, be settled with a veteran group. Now I'm here as a veteran. Over the past few years, just experiencing the playoffs here, even regular season, it's been the same thing. I thought it was going to be a little louder in here.”
Irving had previously likened TD Garden to a “human zoo” after a fan threw a water bottle at him in 2021, via Forbes' Adam Zagaoria. The former Celtic also called out “underlying racism” amongst the fanbase.
Although Boston fans didn't go as hard as they normally do, they still booed him and reminded him that he's subpar, with slightly harsher language.
“I'm expecting the same things going into Game 2 — crowd trying to get me out of my element, my teammates out of my element,” Irving continued.
Celtics fans are guaranteed to keep booing the eight-time All-Star, but will Irving improve upon his off night?
The Mavericks have proven they can never be counted out
Dallas has been in this position before. The Mavs lost 117-95 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals before bouncing back with a nine-point victory in the following match. Similarly, both games were away from home as well. Irving and company must stay the course and not get distracted by rowdy New Englanders.
“But again, the energy has to be focused towards the game,” Irving said. “I felt like I had a lot of great looks. They hit (the) back rim or were just a little left or right. Just got to stay confident and stay poised throughout this, man. This is the best time of the year to be playing. There’s only two teams left. Let’s put it in perspective.”
The former 32-year-old's mature perspective comes with being an elder statesman in the league. With this being his first Finals appearance since 2016, Irving is simply grateful to finally be back on the game's biggest stage. Although the former Rookie of the Year shot just 6-for-19 Thursday night, it's a good sign that he's already turned the page.
“The environment is going to be what it is but my focus is on our game plan and making sure my guys feel confident and I feel confident and continue to shoot great shots,” he continued.
The importance of Irving imploring the team to stay confident can't be understated. The former NBA champion is the only player on Dallas' roster who has Finals experience, so many of the team's young players are undoubtedly following his lead.
Irving continued to elaborate on the importance of confidence, via The Athletic's Joe Vardon.
“That’s what this game is about is controlling our actions, making sure that we stay positive, but also know what we are going up against, the competition level,” the former Cleveland Cavalier said. “We are the best in the world at this point. There are only two teams left. We have proven why we deserve to be here and we’ve earned our right to be here. It’s no time to see ourselves as a short opponent or someone that’s not capable of coming out of this.”
While the Mavs are an elite squad, it'll be a tough mission to win this series if they go down 2-0. Hopefully, for Dallas, Irving will regain his shooting stroke sooner rather than later.
