Former Boston Celtics star Antoine Walker has been critical of superstar point guard Kyrie Irving over the past couple of weeks, calling out Uncle Drew for not being “a true Celtic” or a leader. Per Walker, Irving not only is “not a leader,” but that “New York is the place that probably presents the best option” for the eight-year NBA veteran when he becomes a free agent on July 1st.
Walker has a right to question Irving’s leadership, with the role of being a leader of an elite team in the NBA an entirely new world for the 26-year-old. Irving’s singled out sections of teammates, been visibly frustrated and displayed bad body language on a number of occasions.
He’s chosen to stoke the flames of discontent by firing back at the media who question his free agency future rather than trying to quiet anyone’s fears that he would renege on his verbal commitment to re-signing with Boston in October.
Yet, in terms of his responses to the media following Tuesday’s loss to Toronto, there is a detail that could alter the perception of Irving’s behavior yesterday.
Irving, who was short with the media after Tuesday’s humiliating loss to the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena, received a visit from Celtics president and general manager Danny Ainge as the media entered the visitor’s locker room.While what the two discussed hasn’t been disclosed, you could surmise that Ainge was in Irving’s ear about watching what he said to the media and his teammates after he and the team played in what may have been their worst game of the season.
That said, Irving does still need to grow as a leader and spectators — whether they be fans, media, front office executives or former players — have to understand that it’s going to be a process for him. Not a night and day change.
As for Walker’s impression that Irving is going to head to New York in the offseason, there’s nearly no doubt that the Knicks are near the top of his list of preferred destinations should he leave Boston.
They were before he said we would re-sign with the Celtics and with the chances that they can draft Duke University’s Zion Williamson with the first overall pick (or use the pick to acquire New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis), along with what’s expected to be enough cap space to sign max free agents, they could soon be considered a championship-contender.
In any case, the constant stream of what could be considered negative coverage regarding Irving is unlikely to make him want to stay in Boston. When considering why Irving would be considering leaving the Celtics, aside from the team’s seeming disconnect on and off the court, his relationship with Boston’s media and fan base seems to be deteriorating and that could also play a role in his free agency.
