Earlier in the season, Kyrie Irving’s postgame press conferences were fairly lengthy. He’d speak about leadership and how the team could improve, among other things.
That’s changed.
Following Sunday’s 115-104 loss to the Houston Rockets, Irving was asked by reporters what needs to be done to turn things around for the Celtics, who’ve lost five of their last six.
Just play better.
Among other things, he was asked what he has to do, as a leader, to turn things around.
Just gotta play better.
NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg took it upon himself to track Irving’s word count following the loss. It was estimated at 40 words.
Based on Forsberg’s transcript, it was 40 on the nose.
Irving’s change in approach with the media is a sign of one of two things.
He’s ready to leave Boston and is done entertaining the line of questioning he’s receiving.
He doesn’t care to provide his and the Celtics’ critics further fodder, given it’s only appeared to create issues for Boston’s chemistry.
(There’s also a third option, and take this for what you will: he’s trolling Brad Stevens, who tends to say the Celtics have to “do X better,” in some fashion, as an answer to the press — an idea proposed by a listener of 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Felger & Mazz” on Friday.)
Whatever the reason, don’t expect it to stop.
