The Boston Celtics matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers will be anything but just a game for the Celtics and Lakers faithful, a game featuring two historical rivals and two of the league’s most entertaining stars in Kyrie Irving and LeBron James. Two players that were teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers, heading to three consecutive NBA Finals and winning the Cavs’ first championship in franchise history.
However, despite the two’s shared history — including a saga this season that saw Irving and James rectify their relationship — Irving told reporters on Friday that it’s easy to ignore the hype surrounding his matchups with James:
“It’s pretty easy,” Irving said. “It’s not hard. It’s not hard at all. It’s just another game but going against a great competitor, a teammate like ‘Bron is always fun. You just understand that these head-to-head matchups probably will happen for a few more years…. you just want to take advantage of them. Just the great players you get a chance to play against in our league, you always want to play well.”
Playing against a player of James’ stature is, as Irving notes, an event that should be relished. James, who just passed NBA icon Michael Jordan in all-time points in the Lakers’ last game, is a four-time NBA MVP and three-time NBA champion and he’s going to go down as one of the greatest to grace the hardwood.
Nonetheless, Irving’s attitude towards the inevitable speculation is encouraging. He’s been a completely different person over the last week, softening up for the media and being honest while also managing to be respectful and dignified.
Whether it’s because Boston’s energy during the road trip has been so positive or because Irving’s attitude has improved the team’s, it bodes well for the Celtics this season and beyond that he’s been much more amicable and trying to be an ideal teammate.
