Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics are heading into the 2018-19 NBA season as the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. While they should take the East if they play up to their potential, Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors are still considered nearly unbeatable in a seven-game series.

In a recent interview with Jackie MacMullan of ESPN, Irving talked about his teams chances to beat the Warriors. He seems to think that Boston has a good chance to compete for a title.

“Can we beat Golden State in a seven-game series? Yes. Because of who we have, and what we're establishing here, not just for this season, but for hopefully for the next few years, something that's pretty special. I've played against Golden State in three straight Finals — two that I was able to participate in — and seeing them evolve, with the talent they have, and then adding DeMarcus Cousins, it's like, ‘OK, the whole league is on notice.'”

Green was asked about Irving's comments by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and had some good quotes in response as well.

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“I think he should believe that. One thing about it, he didn't say they will beat us. He said they can beat us. As a leader of that team, he should say that. I think he should say relay that message to his guys. You have to force your guys to believe if you're going to achieve anything.”

Needless to say, the basketball world is going to enjoy seeing a different NBA Finals than LeBron James vs. the Warriors. As entertaining as those series' have been, it's time for fresh competition.

Boston and Golden State would make for a fun, up-tempo series. Irving has a great supporting cast with names like Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Jaylen Brown, while the Warriors have Green, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and DeMarcus Cousins.

These two teams are on a collision course and the talking back and forth beginning now couldn't be better for the league.