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After a Game 4 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks put him in a 3-1 series hole, Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics spoke about the defensive plan of Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer.
From Irving's perspective, Budenholzer has made it difficult for them to score in the paint. In addition, he's throwing different defenders who seemingly know your every move. Watch the postgame interview below per NBA TV.
Article Continues Below“Mike Budenholzer is putting myself, other guys in different positions where you’re asked to think multiple moves ahead. And if you’re not then they’ll force you into a tough shot.”
"They're making things difficult in that paint."
Kyrie on their matchup with the Bucks in Round 2 of the #NBAPlayoffs. pic.twitter.com/SvBjpA2lqT
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 7, 2019
For the series so far, Kyrie Irving is averaging 21.8 points per game on just 36.9 percent from the field and 24.8 percent from the 3-point line. These are well below his season averages of 23.8 points per game on 48.7 percent shooting.
Against the Bucks, Kyrie Irving has missed countless numbers of layups — something totally uncharacteristic of the 27-year-old who is seen as one of the very best finishers in the game today. Mike Budenholzer knows that containing Irving is a critical step in beating the Brad Stevens-led club.
Kyrie Irving is part of the special crop of players on NBA teams to have come back from a 3-1 series deficit. He certainly knows how to manufacture a seemingly impossible task. But he's in a different situation and on a totally different team now, against a coach — Mike Budenholzer — who knows how to contain him. From the looks of it, the Celtics' chances at mounting a comeback look thinner than ever.
