Kyrie Irving's Brutally Honest Quote About Getting Traded To Boston Celtics

Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks) met with the media before Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

May 3, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (11) hands the ball to an official during the second half in game three of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks are coming off a 122-84 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Kyrie Irving finished the game with 21 points, four rebounds and six assists while shooting 10/18 from the field and 1/6 from the three-point range in 31 minutes of playing time.

One of the biggest storylines of the series has been the fact that he is going up against his former team.

Irving spent two seasons in Boston (2017-19).

May 8, 2019; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives for the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) during the second quarter in game five of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports / Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Before Game 5, Irving was once again asked about his time with Boston (h/t Celtics on NBC Sports Boston).

Irving: "When I look back on it, getting traded here, this wasn't one of my options. It wasn't like number one on my list, so when the trade opportunity got approached to me instead of going back and appreciating the Celtics history I just came in with an open mind. Just kind of like, I'm just going to go with the flow into this, but I think that was the wrong approach. Just being young. Now that I'm a little older, hindsight looking back on it, I definitely would have taken the time to get to know people within the community, talk to some of the champions that have come before me. Actually, extend myself to them instead of the other way around."

"They expect you to seamlessly buy into the Celtics' pride, buy into everything Celtics, and if you don't, then you'll be outed. I'm one of the people that's on the outs"

Kyrie Irving opens up about his time in Boston, and drops some interesting nuggets 🤔 pic.twitter.com/NzJwG3iJ4O

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 16, 2024

Game 5 of the series will be on Monday evening in Boston.

If the Mavs win, Game 6 would be back in Dallas on Thursday evening.

Irving is in his second season with Dallas.