Celtics fans may never forgive Kyrie Irving for how things went down during his tumultuous tenure in Boston. But Irving's ex-teammates don't have the same ill will toward the Brooklyn Nets guard.
Irving left the C's in free agency last summer, just months after telling a crowd full of fans at TD Garden he planned on re-signing. Although that still doesn't sit well with many in Boston, Jayson Tatum has no issue with Irving's decision to take his talents elsewhere.
"His decision to go to Brooklyn, obviously, a lot of people were mad and things like that," Tatum said on All The Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. "But, us as basketball players, we understand once you get to a certain level and a certain point in your career you’ve earned the right to make the decision on what makes you happy and what you want to do.
"So, I was happy for him. He wanted to go back home and be closer to his family. I think everybody should have that opportunity."
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After making it clear there were no hard feelings toward Irving, Tatum gushed about the six-time All Star's ability.
"People might think he crazy, but Ky got, he got game. He [is] one of the most skilled basketball players ever," Tatum said. "Just some of the things he did with the ball was just like mind-boggling to me and the way he was able to finish. He’s special. He [is] one of the best players I was able to see and play with."
Boston Celtics
Irving missed all three Nets-Celtics matchups this season due to injury, and he did not travel to TD Garden for either game in Boston. The 28-year-old underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in March.
Perhaps enough time has passed for Celtics fans to move on from the Irving drama, but you can bet the boos will be loud if and when he makes his long-awaited return to TD Garden. Besides, Irving didn't exactly help his cause when he called out new C's guard Kemba Walker on Monday.