Kyrie Irving may have only played two seasons with the Boston Celtics, but he still feels the contempt Boston fans have for him.
But that is not a problem for the Brooklyn Nets point-guard, as he says it still drives him.
“It’s like the scorned girlfriend, wants an explanation on why I left, but still hoping I text back,” Irving said of the hate he feels from Celtic fans.
Irving averaged over 20 points per game in Boston, but that doesn’t stop him from drawing the ire of fans in Boston.
And now, as the point guard of the Nets, Irving continues to be a thorn in the Celtics’ side.
Kyrie says he expects to be booed in Boston the rest of his career. pic.twitter.com/yhMSuaxlJ9
— ESPN (@espn) March 7, 2022
A Career Of Controversy
Many NBA players feed off of the negative energy of other fans.
There are some who just embrace their role as the villain and let it drive them to success.
Whether it’s Kobe, LeBron, Jordan, Giannis, or Kyrie, some players love the attention that gets drawn to them by opposing fans due to their hatred of said player.
Irving is certainly no stranger to controversy.
He found himself at the center of it when he claimed the world was flat, which earned him the dubious nickname of “World B. Flat.”
He also remains unvaccinated against COVID-19, which has drawn the ire of not just the basketball world, but the world outside of sports as well.
He is unable to play in Nets home games due to his vaccination status.
But Irving is just one of those players that does not care what others think about him.
Whether that be in Boston, Cleveland, or anywhere else in the NBA, Irving feeds off of people’s hatred for him and lets it drive him to be the best player he can be.
NEXT: Nets Get Awful News On Joe Harris