2024 NBA Finals: Kyrie Irving respectfully calls Celtics a cult, but playing in Boston is certainly a different vibe

BOSTON — The Celtics’ playoff slogan, “Different here,” smacks of arrogance and reeks of Northeastern elitism, until one walks into the TD Garden and looks up.

All the championship banners and retired numbers, they let new players — 19-year old rookies or veterans alike — know of the immense expectations.

Some franchises hang division banners, most would hang conference championship banners. The Los Angeles Lakers, who are tied with the Celtics for NBA titles at 17, hung an in-season tournament banner this year.

Try that with Red Auerbach’s Celtics — a puff of cigar smoke would’ve flown in from the top of the Garden to prevent that from happening. Famously, this franchise only hangs championship banners.

The New York Knicks have become rekindled on the national scene, with Madison Square Garden as the visual backdrop, and the Lakers are always on the “A” block of sports television shows, but within their respective city, the Celtics can’t escape what they mean to Boston.

Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving works out prior to Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Dallas. (STF Photo/Julio Cortez)

Kyrie Irving, in the most affectionate, respectful way, called it a cult. Not in the Jim Jones kind of way, but in regard to the pressure and the expectations being real, with full buy-in.

“You have to show your respect here,” Irving said. “I think that’s what I struggled with initially, was figuring out how I’m going to be a great player here while winning championships and also leading a team and selflessly joining the Celtics’ organization or the cult that they have here.

“That’s what they expect you to do as a player. They expect you to seamlessly buy into the Celtics’ pride, buy into everything Celtics. And if you don’t, then you’ll be outed.”

Then he laughed because of where he sits with Celtics fans today.

“I’m one of the people that’s on the outs.”

To his credit, Irving didn’t go out of his way to ingratiate himself with the Celtics culture when he was traded there in 2017. He’s publicly admitted his mistakes during his two years with Boston,…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-06-16 22:21:17

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