For all the antics in Game 1, Kyrie Irving came to play in the series opener. The same, however, could not be said in Game 2.
Although Irving had eight rebounds on Wednesday, he only scored 10 points on 4-for-13 shooting. He also only had one assist. And if you’re wondering if Steve Nash limited his minutes, that was not the case. Irving logged 40, only to be outdone by Kevin Durant (42).
But as bizarre as that shift was, Irving’s comments after Game 2 were far more surprising.
“I just think the timing is right. Their window is now for these young guys that are on this team that have matured,” Irving said of the Celtics. “They’ve been through a series together, they’ve been through seasons together, they’ve been through battles together and I got a chance to experience some of that.
"And now being on the opposite end and going against a healthy Celtics team, obviously without Robert Williams, you’re just seeing there's a difference in their verve. There's a difference in the way they approach the game, and also, they have a set offense and defense that they rely on, and Ime (Udoka has) been a huge part of that. But you've got to give credit to that guy that's sitting in the president's role, as well, now. That, all of a sudden, we don't get to see him as often. Brad Stevens definitely has a lot to do with it."
Irving has complimented his former Celtics teammates in the past, and showing respect for opponents in post-game press conferences is something players do all the time. But to go as far as he did after his own team choked away a game to go down 2-0 in the series was an odd choice to say the least.
Also, was there a hint of him complimenting the Celtics’ for having a system? Might that have been a dig at Nash? Because if so, that’d be rich. As much as Brooklyn’s head coach deserves criticism, Nash’s biggest mistake has been letting Irving and Durant call the shots — something that probably falls more on the front office.