Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge has survived the same roller-coaster season the rest of his staff, the coaches and the players have been forced to ride throughout a tumultuous 2018-19 season. Highs and lows that have gone from suddenly appearing to turn the ship to questions about Kyrie Irving's leadership and the respect he has among his locker room peers.

Yet Ainge isn't worried about how Irving has looked this season after some polarizing comments he has made throughout the year, resting assured that Irving is making the right decision to lead by example:

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“I think Kyrie's heart is in the right place,” Ainge told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. “Leadership is hard. I think when he is at his best is when he tries to have an impact on the game he is playing, and he tries to inspire his teammates with his play on both ends. I think it's that simple. That's where players earn respect. Not by words, not by team meetings. You earn respect with how you play.”

Irving earned his keep on Sunday, leading the way for the Celtics along with veteran Marcus Morris with 20 points apiece during a grueling 84-74 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Irving must continue to do so for the entire playoffs if he hopes to secure that leadership role in front of the eyes of his teammates, as leading goes beyond speeches and motivation, more often than not coming down to actions and taking the lead in dire situations.