By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Kyrie Irving’s game-high 39 points fell short for the Brooklyn Nets in the attempt to prevail against the Boston Celtics on the road on Sunday. However, his solid showing was not the main topic of the questions towards him following Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.
“Look, where I’m from, I’m used to all these antics and people being close nearby,” he commented on responding to fans by holding up his middle fingers on two separate occasions, “It’s nothing new when I come into this building what it’s going to be like. It’s the same energy they have for me, I’m going to have the same energy for them.”
“And it’s not every fan, I don’t want to attack every fan, every Boston fan,” he added, “When people start yelling ‘p…y’ or ‘b…’ and ‘f… you’ and all this stuff, there’s only but so much you take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble, take a humble approach, f— that, it’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”
“This is the first time you actually caught it because this is a big-time game,” he explained, “I respond in different ways. I’m not trying to focus on that. If you want to ask me questions about the fans, go ask them. Go on the street and ask them questions.”
Irving, 30, spent a couple of seasons playing for the Celtics before signing with the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent in 2019.
“I know what to expect in here,” he pointed out regarding his latest visit to TD Garden, “And it’s the same energy I’m giving back to them. It is what it is. I’m not really focused on it, it’s fun, you know what I’m saying? Where I’m from I’ve dealt with so much, so coming in here you relish it as a competitor.”
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series will be held in the same venue Wednesday.
Photo Credit: Getty Images