‘Something about Boston’ STOPPED Kyrie Irving from playing to his best in NBA Finals, says ESPN analyst

Kyrie Irving may have tried to dampen the effect of the Boston Celtics fans, but they jeered and taunted him at every step.

‘Something about Boston’ STOPPED Kyrie Irving from playing to his best in NBA Finals, says ESPN analyst

Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving could not play at his best during the NBA Finals games held in Boston

Leading up to the NBA Finals, Kyrie Irving was performing at a high level. This prompted many to consider this season as the year when the Dallas Mavericks superstar would get his redemption. However, he ended up having some of his worst performances in the NBA Finals. Those performances were the catalyst for his former team, the Boston Celtics to hoist their 18th NBA title. This led ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst to establish a theory.

The long-time analyst was on the NBA Today panel on their network. While speaking about Kyrie Irving, host, Malika Andrews asked him about his performances in the NBA Finals. Brian Windhorst might have a point here. He and the rest of the panel agreed that had it been any other team, Kyrie Irving would have played lights out.

But there's something about Boston he didn't quite get over. And it effected the dud games he had there.
Brian Windhorst on NBA Today

It is no secret that Kyrie Irving had a tumultuous time with the Boston Celtics. So much so that in every game in TD Garden, he was subject to constant chants and taunts. The noise inside the arena was very loud and could have affected his confidence.

FS Video

It seems the ghosts of the past have returned to haunt him. Even though the Dallas Mavericks managed to gain momentum with a blowout victory in Game 4, the return Game 5 in Boston proved too much for the former Celtics superstar.

Kyrie Irving needs another veteran player around him

Kyrie Irving was the de-factor leader of the Dallas Mavericks. That leadership was evident as they beat out top-seeded opponents in the hotly contested Western Conference. But when it came down to the hostile environment of TD Garden, it seemed as if Irving was the one who needed support.

Considering, this is the same arena where he was once tasked with leading a young team to championships. After he abandoned them, his relationship with Celtics fans soured considerably. This was to the extent that they were burning his jersey and stomping on a blow-up doll depicting his face. It showed the resentment they have towards him. At this point, if the team had another veteran leader who had seen it all, he could have been the support Irving badly needed.

A shoulder to rest his head on when the going became tough. That leader could have motivated Kyrie Irving to let go of his past and strive to complete the redemption process.

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