Brooklyn Nets fans wanted to get under the skin of the Boston Celtics, and they knew exactly how to do it.
On Monday, Nets fans chanted “Kyrie's leaving” during the team's game against the Celtics. The chant occurred in the fourth quarter, amid a big lead held by the home squad. It's hard to tell if this affected the Celtics as they managed to trim the lead down. But perhaps it's safe to assume that they've hit the Celtics' morale in one way or another.
🗣 "Kyrie's leaving"
Celtics are getting blown out by the Nets and Brooklyn fans aren't holding back 😳 pic.twitter.com/cfbHJbRoWn
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 15, 2019
Just a few days prior, Irving publicly lashed out on his teammates for their lack of effort. Specifically, he called out the Celtics' young guys for not knowing what it takes to win a championship. Per NBA reporter Keith Smith, Irving said:
Article Continues Below“The young guys don’t know what it takes to be a championship level team. What it takes every day. And if they think it is hard now, what do they think it will be like when we’re trying to get to the Finals?”
Irving continued and said that they entered the season with a lot of expectations, given that they were just one win away from the NBA Finals. People expected them to power through this season, especially since they're now healthy. But it hasn't been the case as of late. Boston is just 7-8 in their last 15 games.
Nets fans were aware of these facts and the Celtics' current state. If the rest of the team doesn't exert the effort Irving demands of them, then they might as well wave goodbye to their best player.