Kyrie Irving didn’t have much to say about basketball strategy when asked what adjustments he expects will be made heading into Sunday night’s Game 2.
Instead, he talked about adjusting to the environment at TD Garden. He mentioned that this Mavericks group is playing together in the NBA Finals for the first time.
Although he has a wealth of experience playing both for and againstthe Celtics over his 13-year career, Irving looked rattled at times Thursday, missing several wide-open shots and producing more turnovers (3) than assists (2) while shooting 6 of 19 from the field.
“Going out there, TD Garden, playing against the Boston Celtics, who are having a historic season,” Irving said. “We knew they were going to come out with a lot of verve, a lot of energy. And they have been doing it all year. They have been consistent on their end. I think it’s pretty easy to say we can focus on our end and pay attention to what we can control.”
“But it’s a little bit deeper than that. Just got to calm our nerves, poise our nerves a little bit and just be aware of the environment we are in. It’s going to be highly intense from who we are going against. It’s going to be very physical. Some things are going to be called and some things aren’t.”
Now that they’ve experienced the atmosphere, the Mavericks are looking forward to embracing the challenge in Game 2, Irving said.
“This is what makes sports fun,” he said. “This is what makes the stories fun. Getting a chance to go against a giant like this, whether it be just talking about the team or talking about the environment and the fans and how crazy it can get.”
“This is what I imagine it being like, getting to this stage again, earning our way to be here with my teammates, and being able to put our best foot forward going against the best of the best. That’s everything you dream of. Everything else is extracurricular.”
Irving, an NBA champion in 2016 with the Cavaliers, said he struggled for a long time with putting basketball in perspective. He doesn’t expect to be celebrated by everybody, and said he learned to spend more time focusing on those who love him.
There’s a difference between what he hears while walking around Boston compared to some of the trash talk he hears at TD Garden.
“There’s a lot of mutual respect,” he said. “There’s a lot of eye-to-eye communication that’s built on just being human, and they appreciate the things I do off the floor, as well. So there are a lot of Celtics fans out there that still love me, too, surprising to everybody.”
Irving hasn’t forgotten the bad moments, but instead has learned to appreciate the experience for what it is.
“Somebody threw something at me while I was here,” he said. “I’ve heard it all. Nobody asked me how I felt after that and why it could be a little bit of a traumatic response when I’m back in this environment after somebody does something like that.”
“You know, so things have changed since then. I’ve been able to accept what I cannot change but also change the way that I look at things to be more positive. So this is fun for me, man. This is healthy. I’m glad that I can be up here on this stage speaking authentically and then also go home and be at peace.”
Take what’s there
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said he expects a continued emphasis in Game 2 on taking away corner 3-pointers and lobs to the rim. The Celtics gave up 30 points to Luka Doncic in Game 1, but were able to limit him to one assist.
“Yeah, we’ll make some adjustments,” Kidd said. “But Boston is going to give the layup to Luka, so he’s got to take it. They’re not going to give him the lob, and they are not going to give the corner three. So it’s two-on-two, and we have to take advantage of that.”
Doncic loves the game
With the Mavericks trailing in the series, Doncic was asked about how he balances having fun while remaining serious about his job.
“I don’t really know, but I’m just trying to have fun,” Doncic said. “That’s the game I love. That’s the game that gets me paid. And (there’s) nothing better in the world than playing basketball for your job. So, just trying to enjoy it.”
Be the first to comment