The Bucks eliminated the Celtics in five games in the second round of the playoffs. In game one, Boston played great defensively on Giannis causing him to be uncomfortable which lifted them to a 1-0 lead in the series. Milwaukee went on to win the next four games as Antetokounmpo went to the free throw line several times and he was surrounded by snipers behind the arc. In those four games, Kyrie Irving’s performances were awful. For the series, Irving shot 35.2% from the field and 22.7% from three. The Celtics needed Irving to step up as a leader but he crumbled taking poor percentage shots.
Prior to the 2018-2019 season, Kyrie said in an interview that the upcoming season would be a season of redemption. With Gordon Hayward missing the entire year and Irving out for the latter half of the 2017-2018 season, there were expectations. Instead, this season was full of disappointments as there was a lack of trust, communication, and chemistry throughout the entire team.
Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics must divorce each other for the better of their futures.
For the Future of Kyrie Irving
It wasn’t a great fit in Boston for Kyrie Irving. Irving mainly played isolation which influenced his teammates in the wrong way to play the same way. After shading his teammates in postgame interviews, it’s time for Uncle Drew to turn a new leaf.
I think it would be best for Irving’s career to sign with the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio was one of the destinations on Kyrie’s trade list before he was sent to Boston. The Spurs have good, young players in Bryn Forbes and Derrick White. The Spurs second and third-best players would be DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge and they’re better than anyone currently on the Celtics. Most importantly, San Antonio has an all-time coach in Gregg Popovich. I felt that Brad Stevens let Irving do whatever he wanted which wasn’t always the best option. Irving needs a stern coach like Popovich to make sure he makes the best play.
For the Future of the Boston Celtics
The Celtics have some work to do this offseason. First, Boston should let Marcus Morris and Daniel Theis walk in free agency. Terry Rozier is a restricted free agent and the Celtics should give him about a four-year $40 million deal. Rozier might get a ridiculous offer from another team and if it’s too much you let him go.
In terms of free agents elsewhere, the Celtics should go after a center. If Anthony Davis isn’t still in the picture Boston could go after Nikola Vucevic who had a career season of 20.8 ppg and 12 rpg. If Danny Ainge wants to go the cheaper route, Enes Kanter could be an option as he’s a scorer down low and can get boards as well.
The Celtics could also sign and trade Kyrie Irving and see what they can get for him. Who knows what kind of offers Boston would get?
It’ll be interesting to see how the summer unfolds for Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics.
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