Kendrick Perkins continued his reversal on the subject of Kyrie Irving
"Leave him alone because you’re not the ones that have to go between those lines and actually guard this man."
Kendrick Perkins on Kyrie Irving: After spending the last several years being consistently critical of Kyrie Irving — noting in 2020 that even the thought of Irving made him “want to throw up” — former Celtics center Kendrick Perkins has changed his tune in the last several months.
Perkins, like most fans watching basketball during the Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals, has recognized that the 32-year-old Irving is experiencing something of a renaissance. Foreseeing a possible matchup against the Celtics, Perkins even advised Boston fans to “leave him alone” in late May.
Now, with the Mavericks-Celtics matchup set to begin in the NBA Finals on Thursday, Perkins (an ESPN analyst) reiterated his message during a segment on Tuesday.
“I will offer some advice to the fan base of the Celtics, and that’s to leave him the hell alone,” Perkins said of Irving. “Leave him alone because you’re not the ones that have to go between those lines and actually guard this man. Right now, Kyrie Irving has been in a zone.”
In fact, Perkins said he views playing on the road in Boston as a “positive” for the Mavericks (including Irving).
“Actually it’s going to be a positive impact for the Dallas Mavericks, and if you’re a Dallas Mavericks fan, because it’s going to bring out the best of Kyrie Irving,” said the ex-Celtic.
Assessing the power dynamic between Irving and Luka Dončić, Perkins sees an even split.
“There’s no Batman and Robin on this Dallas Mavericks team,” he explained. “It’s a Batman and a Superman. Both of those guys are the leaders of this team, and both of those guys on any given night, between him and Luka, could be the best player on the floor.”
Adding to that point, Perkins also sees a potential knock-on effect of the TD Garden crowd’s expected treatment of Irving.
Dončić, in his view, could also benefit from the boos.
“The Boston fans do need to realize this: They’re going to be who they are, but messing with Kyrie Irving is also messing with Luka Dončić, because they’re brothers,” Perkins added. “We hear the stories about them going to dinner together, their relationship.
“And we know one thing for sure, two things for certain, that Luka Dončić embraces that type of hostility and people going at him. And when I say going at him, if you’re going at Kyrie, Luka’s going to take it personally as well. Is that best for the Boston Celtics?”
Trivia: Kendrick Perkins was traded by the Celtics to the Thunder in 2011 in a memorable deal that included Jeff Green heading to Boston. Perkins wasn’t the only Celtic included in the trade. Can you name that second player dealt by Boston?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox begin a two-game series against the Braves at Fenway Park tonight at 7:10 p.m.
On Thursday, the NBA Finals get underway with Mavericks-Celtics at TD Garden. The game begins at 8:30 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- Why do Celtics fans boo Kyrie Irving? Recapping his tumultuous history with Boston
- Kyrie Irving feels he has ‘healthy relationship’ with Celtics fans
- Kevin Garnett shreds narrative about Celtics’ path to NBA Finals
- Celtics reportedly discussed Kyrie Irving trade involving Kristaps Porzingis in 2019
- Five questions for Mike Breen, the play-by-play voice for the NBA Finals
- Thoughts on Alex Cora, Dom Smith, and the filling of Fenway after a lost opportunity Sunday
- Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett explain Kristaps Porzingis’ greatest impact with Celtics
- Jamie Westbrook thrilled to make MLB debut with Red Sox after lengthy minor league career
Questions with Jayson Tatum: A montage of Tatum’s interactions with some pregame questions.
Dustin Pedroia back at Fenway Park: The newly inducted Red Sox Hall of Famer held a practice for his Little League team, the “Dirt Dogs,” inside Fenway with Alex Cora looking on.
On this day: In 1976, the Celtics outlasted the Suns 128-126 in triple overtime to win Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Daily highlight: Brandon Grover made an unbelievable over-the-wall catch during the NCAA Division III tournament, though Salve Regina lost in the end to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Trivia answer: Nate Robinson
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