The Boston Celtics took game one of their first-round matchups against the Brooklyn Nets on a buzzer beating layup by Jason Tatum. The battle between Kyrie Irving and the Celtics fans could have gotten lost in such a great game.
After hitting a difficult shot over Jaylen Brown late in the third quarter, Irving can be seen flipping the middle finger to fans in the crowd.
Kyrie Irving gives middle finger to Celtics crowd
pic.twitter.com/WxKGVwvw0r
ā Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 17, 2022
After the game, Irving talked about how he felt about the Celtics Fans and how they showed a lack of respect for him and the game of basketball.
āLook, where Iām from, Iām used to all these antics and people being close nearby,ā Irving said after scoring a team-high 39 points in 42 minutes. āItās nothing new when I come into this building what itās going to be like ā but itās the same energy they have for me, Iām going to have the same energy for them.
āAnd itās not every fan, I donāt want to attack every fan, every Boston fan. When people start yelling āpāyā or ābā-ā and āfā youā and all this stuff, thereās only but so much you take as a competitor. Weāre the ones expected to be docile and be humble, take a humble approach, fā that, itās the playoffs. This is what it is.ā
For decades, Boston has been a tough place to play for African American players. Irving was a Celtic for two seasons, and during that time, it was all love. After signing with the Nets two years ago, the disconnect and animosity started to occur.
āI know what to expect in here,ā Irving said after Sundayās game. āAnd itās the same energy Iām giving back to them. It is what it is. Iām not really focused on it, itās fun, you know what Iām saying? Where Iām from Iāve dealt with so much, so coming in here you relish it as a competitor. ā¦ This isnāt my first time at TD Garden so what you guys saw, what you guys think is entertainment, or the fans think is entertainment, all is fair in competition.
āSo if somebodyās going to call me out on my name, Iām gonna look at them straight in the eye and see if they really ābout it. Most of the time theyāre not.ā
Irving put up amazing numbers despite the drama and appears to be willing to be the villain in Boston. Game 2 is set on Wednesday night, right back in Boston.
The post SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Explains His Dislike for Celtics Fans After Getting Caught Giving the Middle Finger appeared first on The Source.
