The Keys to the Boston Celtics: A Letter to Kyrie Irving

This is the second of three letters to immediate past Boston Celtics and the new kid on the block.

Dear Kyrie,

First off, welcome to Boston. It is always any true basketball fan’s pleasure to have a premier basketball talent represent their team. Exciting times are ahead for all at the TD Garden. The season can’t start soon enough.

However, before I go any further, I have to be straight up with you. I wasn’t the biggest fan of this trade and it honestly doesn’t have anything to do with Kyrie Irving as a person or basketball player. Circumstances being the same, I would have felt the same way if it were Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook or anyone else traded here.

You see, Isaiah Thomas had, in two and a half years, woven himself permanently into the fabric of Boston Celtics lore. He brought sexy back to Boston. Well, in a manner of speaking.

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Then, his sister died tragically but he still showed up to work and did his job. Then he went to battle against your Cleveland Cavaliers; giving his all and getting hurt in the process.

This off-season, we signed Gordon Hayward. We were looking forward to a new season with a recovered IT and another go at your Cavs. Then news of your trade request went public. It was later reported that Danny Ainge had had ‘exploratory’ talks about your availability. It’s what you do when one of the best players in the game is ready for change, right?

Changing of the Guard

Then it appeared you were going to the Phoenix Suns. Boston Celtics fans loved that. “Please break up the dynamic duo and improve our chances of getting to the Finals.” It was too good to be true. A bit too good. Everyone was thrown for a loop when a trade between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers was announced. Kyrie Irving is coming to the Celtics? That’s insane! Yeah, baby!

Then it’s like… hang on. Who did we trade him for? Isaiah Thomas??? Bittersweet is the absolute best way to describe the reaction. Kyrie Irving is an incredible basketball player but Isaiah Thomas has just been incredible to and for the Boston Celtics.

Really, it makes basketball sense. Two high-octane point guards that can score in bunches going to the hoop or launching from deep. But we were trading the injured, older one for the yet to peak, explosive younger one with championship pedigree. It made absolute basketball sense. But we are human beings. Emotion creeps into everything. Very much so here.

“How can we trade the guy who played after his sister died?” “We were lottery-bound before IT came and we let him go?” “What’s Danny Ainge thinking?” “Did Brad Stevens co-sign this trade?” “What is going on?” So went the narrative after the trade. Mixed emotions and some confusion.

I guess what no one bothered to check was how you felt about the whole thing. Please don’t take it personally. Like I said, we’re emotional. But you’re only human too, so you get it, right? For, if everyone is decrying the trading of their hero, then his replacement, by default, becomes the villain.

Kyrie Hurting

So, the jabs started flying. “He never won anything without LeBron James.” “They never made the Playoffs when he led the team.” “They didn’t win games when LeBron was hurt.” “He’s a selfish player, not Celtic material.” “How do we know he won’t bolt in Free Agency?” “We weren’t on his wish list.” And on and on it went.

Again, I apologize. Emotions were (and still might be) running wild. With the dust settled and the trade finalized, once again, WELCOME TO THE BOSTON CELTICS. It may not seem that way but we are happy to have you here. Anyone who knows basketball knows you are an exceptional talent and love to win. Two things we appreciate in Boston.

The team is now yours to steer and I can’t wait to see what you and Coach Stevens have in store. I guess many have forgotten you only played 11 games at Duke before entering the league. The number one overall pick, no less. It makes those three pre-LeBron years like the rest of your college run. And the three years since, you’ve been in the Finals. With experience of both losing and winning it all, I’m confident the NBA basement is not somewhere you ever want to dwell again.

The Future is Green

There’s great expectations and I’d wager, a point to prove to naysayers. And to yourself as well. You moved on to improve your craft. Now you get to do so under one of the most brilliant coaches and for the game’s most storied franchise. The possibilities are endless and optimism is high. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index has us sitting atop the East. No pressure.

Isaiah Thomas might still be on our minds but this is the Kyrie Irving era now. The keys are in the hands on #11. All we ask is that you come in, work hard, play harder and leave it all on the floor. There’s a great heritage of point guards that have come before you and excelled. Bob Cousy. KC Jones. Tiny Archibald. Dennis Johnson. Rajon Rondo. And Isaiah Thomas.

All we ask is that you carry on tradition. To Banner 18 and beyond!

Yours faithfully,

A Proud Celtic

Next: Boston Celtics More Pressure on Ainge or Stevens?

Just. Like. You. Will. Be.

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