JB is not a bad guy, but he certainly seems to lack self awareness. I would imagine many of his teammates viewed him like an annoying co-worker that never shuts up. I remember watching this clip of the Celtics at a movie theatre that the team had rented out last year. There was a person interviewing the players while they were getting popcorn/drinks and the individual asked them who they would avoid sitting next to while watching the movie. Almost all of them said JB. It wasn?t mean spirited, but many thought he would just talk through the whole movie or that he would be lecturing them on this and that while they were trying to enjoy the film.
I agree he doesn?t seem like a bad guy. I really can?t say whether he?s liked, disliked, admired, thought poorly of, etc. I can be confident in saying he works hard, and he also seems motivated when he feels he has something to prove, esp emanating from a perception of being disrespected.
I wish he was still a Celtic but now that he isn?t, I don?t really want his team to succeed, and his individual success is not something I care much about. I don?t think he?ll be booed like Kyrie was, or other *villains* unless he does something on the court worthy of being booed. If he gets overly physical with JT (or anyone) he?ll get booed. If he complains about a call he?ll probably get booed. But just playing his game - I doubt there will be resounding boos. On the other hand if he misses key shots or turns the ball over, I?d guess fans will be cheering a little extra. For JB I would guess booing will be a substantial motivator so I hope fans don?t go there unless he does something egregious. And no doubt he gets a big ovation at the starts during his tribute. He?s clearly a guy who was on his way to number retirement and is more deserving of it than some who are in the rafters.
