Kyrie Irving: Boston bad blood
The Mavericks star will receive a special Celtics 'welcome' against his old team in Game 1 of the NBA Finals
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00:00I almost think about Gladiator just when the crowd over
00:02It's good to hear that TD Garden silent
00:05When you're playing well
00:07They still respect great basketball
00:14Me living there wasn't about basketball
00:16It was more or less about creating that foundation
00:19With me in Cleveland
00:20And then now taking this next step as a 25-year-old evolving man
00:24Being the best basketball player I can be
00:25When Boston came knocking, I was answering
00:28So it was pretty awesome about the way it all transpired
00:34It's just a chapter in my life
00:35That I got to enjoy for the most part
00:39We had a great opportunity to do some special things
00:45But it was cut short
00:46Somehow it gets tossed under the rug
00:49But the greatest thing I learned from Boston
00:50Was just being able to manage not only my emotions
00:55But just what's going on on a day-to-day basis
00:58Of being a leader of a team
00:59Or being one of the leaders
01:01And having young guys around you that have their own goals
01:04Let go of the past
01:06It could cripple you if you allow it to
01:08Because I've been bombarded with Boston questions since I left
01:12And people trying to figure out what actually happened
01:14But again, I think the full story will come out
01:17Probably when I'm retired or when it's appropriate, like I said
01:21Because I didn't mind after a few years
01:23Taking the brunt of the blame
01:26One of the best players in the world
01:27So I know it comes with that fair criticism
01:30But it's just a little bit more grace
01:34Could have been extended my way
01:35Especially what I was dealing with during that time
01:38As a human being
01:39We played in the playoffs
01:40And everyone saw me flip off the birds
01:42And kind of lose my shit a little bit
01:44That wasn't a great reflection of who I am
01:46And how I like to compete on a high level
01:48I wasn't my best self during that time
01:50So when I look back on it
01:51I just see it as a time where I learned how to let go of things
01:54And learned how to talk through my emotions
01:56Of course it's gonna be a hectic environment
01:58But I'm looking forward to it
01:59And I see it as a healthy relationship to have with the fans
02:03You see the media pundits doing their normal thing
02:05It's cool
02:06But yeah, I'm looking forward to the challenge on the court
02:09Against the Boston Celtics
02:10And being able to lead my guys