Mazzulla waxes philosophical about Kyrie’s ‘villain status’ in Boston originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Leave it to Joe Mazzulla to make us reflect on our own existence during an afternoon press conference.
The Celtics head coach was answering questions after Boston’s practice Friday when a reporter noted that Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving will be viewed as a “bad guy” during the 2024 NBA Finals due to his tumultuous two-season tenure with the C’s.
“Aren’t we all?” Mazzulla intervened.
When asked for clarification, Mazzulla replied:
“We are all villains in someone’s eyes.”
We guess that’s Mazzulla’s way of doing the Kyrie vs. downplay the Boston story, which will undoubtedly steal headlines between now and Thursday’s Game 1. While Irving left the Celtics five years ago and has since played Boston twice in the postseason (in 2021 and 2022 with the Brooklyn Nets), the nature of his departure will likely result in a chorus of boos at TD Garden on Thursday night.
But to Mazzulla, Irving is as much a “bad guy” as any other Mavs player the Celtics will face in this series.
“Listen, he’s a great player. He’s done a lot of great things,” Mazzulla said of Irving. “I think the way he’s been carrying himself and how he’s been playing this postseason is one of the fun things to watch, that’s one of the themes in the NBA.
“He’s a great player. He’s done a lot of great things over the course of his career and he’s playing really well. So you have to respect that. You can’t take that for granted, and you have to be ready for it.” to guard him at a high, high level, that’s the most important thing.”
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Villain status aside, Boston will have its hands full with Irving, who averaged 27 points per game in the Western Conference Finals and dropped 36 points in Thursday’s decisive Game 5 to eliminate the Minnesota Timberwolves. So Mazzulla’s Celtics would be wise to block out the noise and focus on limiting Irving’s offensive brilliance.
As for Boston fans? Let’s say they play by a different set of rules.
“Our fans care about them. They care about the Celtics and they care about Boston,” veteran Al Horford told reporters Friday.
“This has been talked about, but when (Irving) left, it wasn’t ideal for everyone here. So I know the fans – it’s the finals, no matter who comes in and who doesn’t, it will be lively. It’s getting exciting.
