'They Have a Right to Boo': Kyrie Irving, Celtics Stars, Discuss His TD Garden Treatment

When asked about their relentless booing of Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown responded with a challenge to Celtics fans.

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From the moment he came out of the tunnel for pregame warm-ups to when he walked off the TD Garden parquet on the heels of a 28-point loss, Celtics fans relentlessly booed Kyrie Irving.

After vowing to stay, his outsized role in submarining Boston's 2018-19 season, a year that, as Gordon Hayward voiced on Podcast P with Paul George, players "had too many agendas," coordinating a move to Brooklyn with Kevin Durant, and stomping on the Lucky the leprechaun logo at halfcourt, it feels as if he'll receive that treatment every time he's back in the building Irving once starred in a commercial saying he wanted his number hanging from the rafters of.

After suffering his tenth straight defeat against the Celtics, who earned a 138-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, the three-time All-NBA guard shared his thoughts on the reception he gets when he's back in Boston.

"They have a right to boo," said Irving, who ended the evening with 19 points on 9/23 (39.1 percent) shooting. "From my career record against them in the last few games, I haven't won. So, until I beat them, they have all the right to continue to boo. I think that's what makes the theatrics of sports and competitive sports fun; (I've) just gotta embrace it. It's part of it."

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown also got asked about the treatment the eight-time All-Star gets from Celtics fans.

"I feel like it's just kind of been like that ever since he left," expressed Jayson Tatum after leading his team in points, finishing with 32, and rebounds, grabbing eight Mavericks misses.

"Obviously, we all know what happened, but that was a while ago," stated Tatum. "I have a great relationship with him. A few of us that are still here that played with him have a great relationship with him. We've all moved on from it. But you can understand that the fans are passionate and things like that. So, I guess that is to be expected, but none of the players have any animosity towards Kai or anything like that."

Jaylen Brown, who registered 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, challenged the TD Garden faithful.

"The fans, they do what they do," stated the three-time All-Star. "They've got whatever reason for that. I think (that) we should probably boo every player, every star player that comes in(to) our arena; I would like to see that. Maybe it has an effect, maybe it doesn't, but (Nikola) Jokic and all these other players come in here, boo them too."

Further Reading

Tired of Celtics' Playoff Inconsistency, Wyc Grousbeck Decided 'We're Not Running It Back'

76ers Gift Celtics Welcome Playoff Prep: 'Taken Tremendous Steps'

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Kristaps Porzingis Shares How First Season with Celtics Compares to His Expectations: 'Haven't Stopped Smiling'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'