Jay King from Mass Live shared a video from Kyrie Irving's media availability yesterday, in which he addresses the expectations on him before the season. Irving emphasizes how patience has been key during the first half of the season:

“I actually had a chance to just slow down and realize that patience was going to get me through this long NBA season. I can't necessarily pinpoint a specific point, but for me this season has been a learning experience to be able to do that. And the expectations that were brought for this season, brought for myself, the expectations that I had, if I didn't have that patience then I probably would've lost it. I can't lose it, I refuse to. I'm just too strong internally and mentally to do that.”

Irving has been able to deal with all the expectations quite well to this point. Despite losing Gordon Hayward to a season-long injury, the Celtics have managed to sustain the best defense in the league and the best record in the Eastern Conference. Irving himself has done an excellent job leading the team on the court. His stats reflect it: 24.2 points, 5.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting a career-high 48.4 percent from the field in 32.4 minutes a game.

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“I'm just on my own journey. And with that being said, it just took some time to figure it out.”

The transition has been seamless as Irving has kept up the good play while quickly adapting his play style to head coach Brad Stevens' system and to help his teammates. Irving has also benefitted from them, particularly on the defensive end. Irving's defensive rating this season is a career-best. He expects to maintain the strong level of play until the NBA playoffs and be the star leader he always dreamed of before being traded to Boston.