Kyrie Irving was once beloved in Boston, believe it or not. The All-Star point guard promised to stay with the Celtics long-term, but he disdained the organization and Brooklyn’s fan base in free agency.
Boston never forgave Irving for this, and his actions since then, including stomping on the Celtics logo, have only increased tensions. The two sides of this current dispute now face each other in the NBA Finals.
Celtics fans warmed up Games 1 and 2 with “Kyrie sucks” chants as well as a personalized Irving jersey with a clown nose on his face. The latter was for sale outside TD Garden, and Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy rocked one side of the court during Game 2.
See this post on InstagramIrving will escape ridicule when the Mavericks return to Dallas for Games 3 and 4, but could return to Boston for Games 5 and 7 if the series requires it.
The Jugo Mobile explains the Irving-Celtics drama and why fans are selling Irving clown jerseys.
Why are Celtics fans selling Kyrie Irving clown jerseys?
Irving was a great acquisition for a young Celtics team in 2017. The franchise traded away from Isaiah Thomas to bring in the championship point guard from Cleveland.
Jaylen Brown had been in the league for a year and Jayson Tatum was entering his rookie year. The team also featured Al Horford, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier. It was a lineup filled with lofty expectations that failed five minutes into the season due to Hayward’s horrific leg injury.
Irving, who entered a contract season in 2018-19, promised fans during the offseason that he would re-sign with Boston. He did not keep that covenant.
He left for Brooklyn in free agency, causing quite a stir in Boston. The city and the fans have not forgiven him and it does not seem that both parties will ever make amends.
The most recent addition to this long drama has been Irving’s clown shirts. Fans can purchase the item outside of TD Garden.
Dave Portnoy wears Kyrie Irving’s clown jersey on court
Portnoy donned Irving’s clown jersey on the court during Game 2, when the Celtics defeated the Mavericks 105-98.
This? Read a clown book. https://t.co/bJUdqn2MER pic.twitter.com/eHMjSvu9v4
– Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) June 10, 2024
Barstool Sports created its own Irving clown jersey, which is the version Portnoy wore in Game 2.
The company has similar clothing that mocks NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Barstool Sports sells products with Goodell’s face with a clown nose.
Kyrie Irving’s record against the Celtics
Irving has had problems against the Celtics since he stomped on the team’s logo as a member of the Nets.
Kyrie appeared to step on Boston’s logo while greeting his teammates at midcourt after the game.
(through @yornoc74) pic.twitter.com/thcXjX15He
-ESPN (@espn) May 31, 2021
They are on a 12-game losing streak, which began after the logo incident, that includes regular and postseason games.
Kyrie Irving Celtics Stats
Irving spent two seasons with the Celtics from 2017 to 2019.
Season GP PPG APG role playing game AAP BPG GF% 3-PT% FOOT% 2017-18 60 24.4 5.1 3.8 1.1 0.3 49.1% 40.8% 88.9% 2018-19 67 23.8 6.9 5.0 1.5 0.5 48.7% 40.1% 87.3%
