Kyrie: Celtics fans 'have a right to boo' amid my losing streak
Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving said fans of his former team, the Boston Celtics, "have a right to boo" him, according to CLNS Media.
"For my career record against them for the last few games, I haven't won. So until I beat them, they have all the right to continue to boo," Irving said after Dallas' defeat to Boston on Friday. "I think that's what makes the theatrics of sports and competitive sports fun and just gotta embrace it. It's a part of it."
Irving has yet to win against the Celtics since helping the Brooklyn Nets to a Game 5 victory over them in the first round of the 2021 playoffs. He's since lost all 10 head-to-head matchups.
"I have dealt with Boston fans prior to me even coming here. ... Early in my career, we used to come up to Boston and smack them around," Irving said. "I've had both sides of the coin. … Sending Boston fans home, then also them booing me all the time, and then seeing the way they treat some of the star players in the league. They wanna win, so you gotta give them credit."
Irving played for the Celtics from 2017-19. He missed the team's trip to the Eastern Conference finals in 2018 due to a knee injury. Irving struggled when Boston returned to the playoffs the following season, averaging 21.3 points on 38.5% shooting.
Since his departure, the veteran guard has compared the Celtics fan base to a "scorned girlfriend." He made obscene gestures and directed profane language at Boston fans during the 2022 playoffs, for which he was fined $50,000. The veteran guard also drew the ire of Celtics fans for wiping his feet on their center court logo in 2021.
Irving is averaging 25.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists for the Mavericks this season.