Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving went on ESPN’s “First Take” to talk about his recent trade to Beantown. However, it mostly gave the host of the show, Max Kellerman, time to through questions Irving’s way. Expectedly, it gave way to some interesting insight. From Jay King of Masslive, Irving says he is excited to become the player he wants to be: a complete point guard.
“I’m ecstatic,” Irving said on “First Take”. “I’m just looking forward to playing my position. I’m looking forward to becoming something that I’ve always envisioned myself being — and that’s being a complete point guard on a great team”. He also noted that his role was “completely different” in Cleveland. Playing alongside one of the greats in LeBron James certainly shakes things up and forces players to step out of their ideal situations (Kevin Love, for example). “I had to figure out a way how to still be effective without having the ball in my hands,” Irving continues. “And that was the biggest transition I had to make right off the (bat) whether I liked it or not”. It is safe to assume based on this summer’s series of events, Irving had his qualms with the situation.
Naturally Irving was pelted with questions regarding his former teammate James and, also naturally, brushed them aside the best he could. Instead, he took subtle jabs at the Cavs offense. When asked what will be different playing in Boston, Irving replied, “Actually playing point guard, which is very, very much exciting. Getting that thing on the break and allowing Gordon (Hayward) to have the space around him as well, and allowing Al Horford to make plays as a big, and having an offense that’s not necessarily dictated just on me isolating. So I’m excited about that.”
How Kyrie Irving adapts and changes to his new role in Boston will be one of the more fascinating topics heading into the season. His role in Cleveland suited him well and was a pivotal characteristic of the offense. Of course it will take a season, if not more, to fully evaluate how Irving is talking now compares to what actually happens. The Celtics will travel to Cleveland on opening night to take on James and the Cavaliers.
