VERY concerned about Irving's attitude

[tenn_smoothie]

Kyrie Irving spent most of his microphone time at today's intro presser talking about HIS potential, HIS goals as a player, HIS desire to be in a situation conducive to HIS development as an elite player, how the trade request was not even about basketball but about HIS evolution and HIS own personal peace (whatever that is supposed to mean).

I have never liked this guy's vibe and I don't like it now. He sounds so focused on himself and  what the trade means for HIM. Where were the comments about "potential he saw in the team", "goals that the team could aspire to", "I want to fill whatever role Coach Stevens needs in order to get this team to a title", "Here are the ways I believe I can help this team win", heck, maybe even a comment about the opportunity to play for the greatest franchise in the NBA.

No - Irving just couldn't stop talking about HIMSELF.

Is Coach Stevens strong enough to require Irving to keep the ball moving on offense and not to dribble the shot clock away ? Is Coach Stevens strong enough to require this guy to play defense ? I have not seen much from Stevens to persuade me that he will stand up to a selfish player. He has had a hard enough time reigning in bad habits from players who care a great deal about team chemistry - Now, he has to deal with this headcase.

Something about this guy keeps reminding me of Sidney Wicks.

[Somebody]

Honestly most great players are obsessed with themselves, only player I think that never let that come out was Bill Russell.

[jdz101]

Kyrie Irving spent most of his microphone time at today's intro presser talking about HIS potential, HIS goals as a player, HIS desire to be in a situation conducive to HIS development as an elite player, how the trade request was not even about basketball but about HIS evolution and HIS own personal peace (whatever that is supposed to mean).

I have never liked this guy's vibe and I don't like it now. He sounds so focused on himself and  what the trade means for HIM. Where were the comments about "potential he saw in the team", "goals that the team could aspire to", "I want to fill whatever role Coach Stevens needs in order to get this team to a title", "Here are the ways I believe I can help this team win", heck, maybe even a comment about the opportunity to play for the greatest franchise in the NBA.

No - Irving just couldn't stop talking about HIMSELF.

Is Coach Stevens strong enough to require Irving to keep the ball moving on offense and not to dribble the shot clock away ? Is Coach Stevens strong enough to require this guy to play defense ? I have not seen much from Stevens to persuade me that he will stand up to a selfish player. He has had a hard enough time reigning in bad habits from players who care a great deal about team chemistry - Now, he has to deal with this headcase.

Something about this guy keeps reminding me of Sidney Wicks.

This is storm in a teacup post if ever I've read it. You missed the interview with D'Amico and Amanda where he went into all that stuff and discussed and complimented his teammates and the franchise.

[GetLucky]

Did you watch the entire 33 minute press conference or just the Bleacher Report/ESPN snippets? Kyrie said exactly what you wanted him to say.

[tenn_smoothie]

Did you ever doubt for one minute that Larry Bird's #1 priority was the team and winning ? Bird was obsessed with winning - his personal stats were meaningless.

Same thing goes for Cowens, Havlicek, Garnett, McHale, DJ, even Pierce once Garnett made him grow up. Others include Tim Duncan, Bill Walton in Portland and Boston, Olajuwon, Magic. As much as I despise both, Jordan & Kobe were more concerned with team success than anything else.

[Ogaju]

Guess he watched a different presser.

[tenn_smoothie]

jdz and Lucky, I very much hope you guys are right and I am wrong.

[Sketch5]

Well that what happens when a reporter asks, "Why did YOU want to come here" "Why did YOU want the trade"

He use a lot of We's in there too. How it's all on him and Hayward, but also keep everyone else countable and that it can't be "ONE" guy(bit of a jab a Lebron). Gave Stevens a lot of credit too. Said he wanted to learn. Nothing wrong with wanting to grow as a player and want to show what he can do, as long as the team comes first, which he made sure to say that.

Also got to remember that this is the first time we've really heard HIM talk and not other people saying what he's thinking or saying. So it was the first time he could explain why he did what he did. And thats going to be about him.

He did talk about playing for a history rich team, and commented on the numbers retired, and the legends before him and who may be after him. He also said he wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than him.

He didn't talk about what he can do, because he said the team hasn't even really met, they haven't all come together, so until they do, he couldn't comment on that. Which is a good thing, means he wants to see what coach wants, what teammates wants. He also talked about watching Haywards highlights and seeing were he LIKES the BALL. That means he's going to be looking for him... HUH, must mean he's going to shoot all the time and have 1 apg.

Then he also asked about getting old Celts videos.

This is a problem with today, people don't listen objectively. They here a couple negative things and thats all they hear because they want to. He even started with not wanting to celebrate the trade right off and giving props to Crowder and the loss of his mom, and IT because they were effected by they trade personally. He didn't have to say that, so there must be some truth to what he was saying today.

[Ogaju]

Guess he watched a different presser from the reports I have read.

[bostonsbrash]

Larry Bird was very "selfish" and competitive

Did you ever doubt for one minute that Larry Bird's #1 priority was the team and winning ? Bird was obsessed with winning - his personal stats were meaningless.

Same thing goes for Cowens, Havlicek, Garnett, McHale, DJ, even Pierce once Garnett made him grow up. Others include Tim Duncan, Bill Walton in Portland and Boston, Olajuwon, Magic. As much as I despise both, even Jordan and Kobe were more concerned with team success than anything else.

[moiso]

I am worried about his attitude and selfishness and having it rub off on the culture of the team.  The Celtics teams of the last couple years were super competitive and had great chemistry.  But the press conference didn't contribute to how I feel.  I thought he did well in the conference.

[C3LTSF4N]

Did you ever doubt for one minute that Larry Bird's #1 priority was the team and winning ? Bird was obsessed with winning - his personal stats were meaningless.

Same thing goes for Cowens, Havlicek, Garnett, McHale, DJ, even Pierce once Garnett made him grow up. Others include Tim Duncan, Bill Walton in Portland and Boston, Olajuwon, Magic. As much as I despise both, Jordan & Kobe were more concerned with team success than anything else.

I didn't hear him say a word about his stats.  All he talked about was a new journey and developing chemistry and learning around a successful group.  He was answering the questions asked and really just providing Boston with somewhat of an explanation as to why he "forced" his way out of Cleveland.  I'm sure he feels he owes us that to prove he isn't a headcase.  There's no reason to think he isn't going to work out great, in my opinion.  To be fair, this conference was about him and Gordon, period.  It just so happens more questions were asked towards Kyrie because of the Cleveland drama and well, he's a bit better than Gordon. 

[Snakehead]

You didn't pay attention.

[KG Living Legend]

 Im very concerned about what your concerned about.

[LilRip]

I think you watched a different press conference. Kyrie was very much into the team's success. One of my fave parts was when he said that he didn't feel like the team was on his shoulders, and that one player can't carry a team. Everyone is accountable.