Ex-Celtics Player Explains His Theory On Why Kyrie Irving Departed Boston
'Soon as that happened, his whole energy changed'
More struggles than successes marked Kyrie Irving’s two seasons with the Celtics, and one of his former teammates, Marcus Morris might have some insight into why Irving didn’t stay in Boston any longer.
During the “Morris Code Show”, Morris discussed how Milwaukee Bucks fans have been booing their star forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo. He drew a parallel to the time when Irving faced similar treatment from Boston fans while playing for the Celtics.
“Last time I was on a team with a superstar, and they booed him, he never got back right,” Morris said on Sunday. “With Kyrie in Boston, that’s why he wanted to leave. Soon as that happened, his whole energy changed. It was more so like he just felt so disrespected. When they get to booing you (Giannis) — & you’re a player that’s on the fence of leaving or not leaving — come on, bro. I’m out. I’m out for sure now.”
In the summer of 2017, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Irving to the Celtics. He had a solid first season, but unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending ACL injury in March.
The Celtics made it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals without him, and expectations were high for the following season with him back on the court. However, the Celtics struggled and failed to advance past the second round.
Irving signed a four-year, $141 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets in July of 2019, marking the end of his brief tenure with the Celtics. After his first season in Boston, he never fully returned to the player he used to be, and much of that could be attributed to the rough treatment he received from the fans.
