Mark Jackson rips Kyrie Irving for not sitting on the bench for Game 7 of the Celtics-Cavs series
"He's more important than an assistant coach to me."
ESPN sportscaster Mark Jackson was not happy Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving was nowhere to be found at the TD Garden Sunday night.
Jackson, who played 17 seasons in the NBA before coaching the Golden State Warriors for three seasons, called Irving out for not sitting on his team’s bench during Game 7 of the conference finals against the Cavaliers.
“He is so valuable to this franchise,” Jackson said during ESPN’s broadcast. “You never know what he sees that a coach does not see. If he’s just at home chilling or somewhere not important, to me, that’s a problem. I would much rather have the great Kyrie Irving in the building. This is Game 7.”
“I want him here all the time,” Jackson continued. “He’s too valuable. As a matter of fact, he’s more important than an assistant coach to me.”
Irving — who was ruled out for the remainder of the season after requiring a second knee surgery in April — sat courtside for a number of games throughout the Celtics’ playoff run and was often spotted smiling with his teammates.
It is unknown where he watched Game 7.
Speaking to reporters at the team’s practice facility Monday, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge revealed Irving wasn’t at the Garden because he recovering from a recent nasal procedure to repair a deviated septum.
“I don’t think he wanted to be seen,” Ainge joked. “He’s a really good-looking guy and could ruin his movie career.”
Though Irving was absent, injured forward Gordon Hayward (left ankle) and injured point guard Shane Larkin (left shoulder) both sat on the Celtics’ bench Sunday.
Gordon Hayward attends Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals.
