Yesterday’s other highly anticipated return to the homecourt of a former team was scuttled due to an injury to Kyrie Irving. Not that he dreaded the prospect of facing the Celtics on the road in light of all the ill feelings that accompanied his foray into free agency; it was his seventh straight missed match since he suffered from a sore shoulder, an absence announced earlier in the week. To be sure, the development was prompted in part by the Nets’ success without him; considering that they had lost a mere set-to, he didn’t need to rush his convalescence.
In any case, the fact that Irving was nowhere near the TD Garden did not prevent fans from piling on him. They came prepared, elaborately designed props included, and not just because they didn’t want to waste the pretty penny they spent for tickets that substantially increased in demand as soon as he formalized his departure. They carried with them animosity built up through a 2018–19 season that began with promise and slowly deteriorated largely in the face of his constant brooding and passive-aggressive style of leadership. And they were creative in expressing themselves.
For Celtics followers, that Irving subsequently acknowledged his failures — or even that management absolved him — mattered not a whit. The damage had been done, and they wanted all and sundry to know how much they blamed him for it. Inside the arena, they peppered their cheers with “Kyrie sucks!” chants. Forget the way the proceedings unfolded; offense or defense, live ball or free throws, they made their sentiments clear, and in extremely animated fashion. They were, in a nutshell, having fun at his expense.
For good measure, the Celtics ended yesterday with an emphatic victory. They had fans going home with smiles and the not insignificant bonus of having seen the outcome influenced by the outstanding showing of Kemba Walker, Irving’s All-Star replacement; the 39 points (on 24 shots), six rebounds, and four assists on the board underscored that his presence on the court wasn’t missed. At all. And, judging from his elongated Instagram story in the aftermath, he got the message, and wasn’t pleased. “Don’t fall for the Game that’s played in front of you for Entertainment, it’ll never be as serious dealing with LIFE.”
Despite the lamentation, Irving understands that he will not — and, perhaps, never — escape the wrath of Celtics habitues. The schedule for the current campaign has them taking another crack at him in March. They’ll be ready. He should be, too.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
