Boston Globe: Kyrie quit on the Celtics in games 4 and 5

[CelticsElite]

https://twitter.com/globechadfinn/status/1143696099515019270?s=21

Boston Globes Chad Finn: "He quit in Games 4 and 5, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a thing like it. He literally was not playing defense. His disobeyed the coach and pretended to guard Giannis. Borderline insubordinate. You can make excuses, but Celtics fans I know saw what he did."

[trickybilly]

He was taking a bunch of really bad shots. But defense seemed normal (like average as always)

[Birdman]

I believe it..he knew they was defeated and just wanted to hurry up and get out...so glad he is gone...he didnt fit here

[Rhyso]

I don't think he flat out quit, that's a very harsh statement. I think deep down all Kyrie knows is hero ball, like how he learned to play with Lebron, taking turns in running the "offense". Just not a fit with this coaching system.

[makaveli]

His official decision of signing for another team can’t come fast enough.

Agreed, he didn’t fit here, as he won’t fit anywhere where he will try to be the guy.

Just look at the hate and adversity that Hayward faced, and all he did and still does is just shut up and work harder. I am really excited about next year, where i expect a huge step forward from out young guns and a second coming of GH.

Surely danny and brad will come up with some nice trades and signings and we will be on top of the east in no time

[Androslav]

Kylie Irving, someone mistyped that here 2 years ago, seems fitting now.

[LilRip]

I don’t think he quit the way Lebron quit on the Cavs. What I saw was a guy trying hard to win and losing trust in his teammates. After such a tumultuous season though, it’s not that unexpected.

The season is where you build habits and unfortunately for the C’s, they didn’t build many good ones. The Celtics were exposed as a team that tried to win by out-talenting the other team instead of actually playing as a team.

[GreenFaith1819]

Kyrie Irving didn't quit. I watched the whole series - as well as most of the regular season.

MIL played Stellar Defense against him - didn't Bledsoe win Defensive first team? And EB showed it.

MIL knew that Kyrie was going to be the focal point and they made it a point to stop him.

The team tried but couldn't step up to help him.

Was he frustrated? You betcha. I could tell it in his body language. Quit? Heck no.

I know we want to pile on and make him look like the main reason for this team's failures this season but I never bought it and ain't buying it now or EVER.

Just stop with the hot takes.

Keep this divorce as pleasant, classy and respectful as we can. How we handle his probable departure will define some of us as a fan base.

[moiso]

 Finn is correct about Irving quitting, although I noticed it mainly on offense.  I've seen Irving play enough to be certain that he was intentionally taking ridiculous shots and missing some on purpose in the last couple of games, and I'm not giving the Bucks defense the credit for it.  It made absolutely no sense for him to do that so most people choose to think that he just had a bad couple of games, was injured, or the Bucks defense was awesome, but I know what I saw.

[GreenFaith1819]

I don’t think he quit the way Lebron quit on the Cavs. What I saw was a guy trying hard to win and losing trust in his teammates. After such a tumultuous season though, it’s not that unexpected.

The season is where you build habits and unfortunately for the C’s, they didn’t build many good ones. The Celtics were exposed as a team that tried to win by out-talenting the other team instead of actually playing as a team.

Too much talent....too many young ones wanting to be ALPHAS and perhaps not wanting to fit in - attribute that to Danny and him having his eyes on AD for potential trade packages.

Talent - gathering instead of role-playing.

Danny did his due diligence in acquiring talent for a potential AD trade. It didn't work out.

And I can understand why some of the young guys would struggle with having so much talent.

[obnoxiousmime]

Independent of this Finn tweet, Bill Simmons said he felt Kyrie quit in the Bucks series in the BS podcast with his dad (posted yesterday). Also, there are those reports Kyrie was doing odd things like requesting to guard Giannis and predictably getting destroyed.

I see more than a few people quick to defend Kyrie in this thread so far, and I think it's because "quit" is such a strong term, especially in sports. It almost seems to suggest intentional tanking of a play, which is not what I think happened, but if you tell me his heart wasn't totally into it (especially when the Celtics fell behind) I would agree with that statement without any reservation.

Even something as simple as taking more pullup 3s because you don't want to spend the extra effort to drive or get hit can be an example of being checked out mentally. Not to mention, not wanting to get injured because you know you're not going to re-sign leads to more cautious play.

I just really wish Stevens had benched him at the end. If you're going to lose the series anyway, play the players who are actually listening to the coach.

[Celtics4ever]

Kyrie Irving didn't quit. I watched the whole series - as well as most of the regular season.

Our final game his first few touches were TOs, so  I disagree.  He was simply going through the motions!  That is still quitting but it is a more subtle form.

I believe it..he knew they was defeated and just wanted to hurry up and get out...so glad he is gone...he didnt fit here

 I think he had his bags packed, too.

Was he frustrated? You betcha. I could tell it in his body language. Quit? Heck no.

I would not play a lot of poker if I was you, because I totally thought he quit, and I am an excellent poker player and I had many jobs where I read people body's language over the years from bouncer to mental health counselor.   But here are some stats that might illustrate what folks have missed.

Look at this shooting percentages the last few games and play.  .318 FG and .286 FG.   The fourth game he tried to pass more and had 10 assists which is what a guy should do if it is not his night.   The final game he had 1 assist and showed no interested in getting the ball to people who might have been hotter.   So as one can see he had zero interest in playing took his 21 shots and missed 15 of them.  The assists thing is not something apologists have noticed and can't be completely explained by great defense.  He wanted out.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/irvinky01/gamelog/2019/

[Roy H.]

I think he internally gave up. “Going through the motions “ is a good way to describe it.

He’s not the only one who played like their spirit was broken, though.

[SHAQATTACK]

unless he gets "help ". like KD level talent . His situation will most likey be the same or worse basketball wise in NY 's than his past two teams. 

Listening to various sport shows, Not all his older former NBA peer s gave him a pass for quitting so easily , building a team takes a few years to come together. 

Lebron just carries his troops,with him now .  Doesn't want to gell with new players and assume the alpha dog position over time by learning new people A waste of time and money in his book.

I guess Kyrie figures its better to lose in NY somewhere than Boston or Cleveland.

Watching that last game made it easier to let him go , if that is all he is made of .   

[GreenFaith1819]

Kyrie Irving didn't quit. I watched the whole series - as well as most of the regular season.

Our final game his first few touches were TOs, so  I disagree.  He was simply going through the motions!  That is still quitting but it is a more subtle form.

I believe it..he knew they was defeated and just wanted to hurry up and get out...so glad he is gone...he didnt fit here

 I think he had his bags packed, too.

Was he frustrated? You betcha. I could tell it in his body language. Quit? Heck no.

I would not play a lot of poker if I was you, because I totally thought he quit, and I am an excellent poker player and I had many jobs where I read people body's language over the years from bouncer to mental health counselor.   But here are some stats that might illustrate what folks have missed.

Look at this shooting percentages the last few games and play.  .318 FG and .286 FG.   The fourth game he tried to pass more and had 10 assists which is what a guy should do if it is not his night.   The final game he had 1 assist and showed no interested in getting the ball to people who might have been hotter.   So as one can see he had zero interest in playing took his 21 shots and missed 15 of them.  The assists thing is not something apologists have noticed and can't be completely explained by great defense.  He wanted out.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/irvinky01/gamelog/2019/

That ENTIRE TEAM looked disheveled after game 3...they played great Game 1, tried in game 2 but MIL came out hot and then seemingly couldn't get over the hump after that.

How could Big Al go from playing OUTSTANDING against GF game 1...blocking his shot and knocking him on his rear.....to getting COMPLETELY outplayed by GF the rest of the series?

Why is this fan base so focused on Kyrie? It's not normal.

Just let him go, if he must...Big Al too. If they both want to try their fortunes elsewhere then I wish them nothing but the best.

Let's stop the disparaging, place the blame on Kyrie articles that give us fake feelings and an "I told you so" attitude.