Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics made some inflammatory remarks this week when he called Boston a “real, live sports city.” This comment, understandably rubbed some Cavaliers fans the wrong way. According to an interview done with ESPN, new Cavalier Dwyane Wade understands that Irving may have intended just to be complimentary of his new home.
Irving may have just been trying to give praise to the city of Boston. The public heard his comments, and there was no time for the point guard to defend himself.
Wade also feels that there is a level of courtesy that players should try and extend to their former employers.
The following from Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
“My thing has always been — even in Miami — first of all, you never know where you’re going to be, what’s going to happen, where you’re going to end up, who you’re going to be teammates with,” Wade said. “You just never know those things, so I never want to leave a place and talk s— about a place. Because when you were there, it was great, and then you leave, it’s terrible? It’s just like players. Fans celebrate players when they’re there, and then they leave, and it’s the worst thing. That’s not me.”
Irving has stated since his departure from the Cavs that he is looking for things that grant him happiness. If Boston makes him happier than Cleveland ever did, that’s a win for him.
If Irving does have any residual grievances with the city and the organization, publicly may not be the best way to air them. The NBA champion had a great run with the team after LeBron James returned to Cleveland in 2014, but he is clearly prepared to move on from that part of his life. Or maybe not.
