No! You're crying!... Isaiah's piece on Players Tribune

[The One]

Wow...that was an incredible letter.

IT, brother...we are with you 'til the end of the line.

[18isGREATERthan72]

Nothing but love for IT.  I guess I picked a good day to wear my IT shirt out.

I appreciate how honest he was in this piece.  There is no misdirection, he was definitely hurt by this trade (I think we all were at least a little bit even if you subscribe to the idea that we "won" the trade)  I can appreciate his pain, and hope he understands just how much love the city has for him.  He might not have become a lifetime Boston legend like Brady, or Bird, or Ortiz, but he is DEFINITELY a Boston Legend in my eyes.  The game he had after his sister passed away is right up there as one of the most memorable performances I've ever seen.  I think the only one that surpasses it for me is the Curt Schilling bloody sock game.

[C3LTSF4N]

Love you IT, you'll always be appreciated

[mnshyn]

For a guy that was here for a short time, I feel like he had such an impact on the team. The 60th draft pick turned  spark plug off the bench turned starter turned all star all-nba player? Took a team that was still in rebuilding and got them to the point of possible contention? Became the king in the fourth, the 50 point games, playing after Chyna passed away.. Would it be such a stretch to retire 4 one day in his honor?

Of course a lot of this is due to Brad Stevens, but I mean.. you have to give the guy credit.

We’ll never know if he was worth the brinks truck or if he could lead a team to a banner here in Boston.  We could say realistically, no it wouldn’t happen.  Maybe the hip, maybe his size, whatever.

But did anyone think three years ago he’d could’ve been as great as he became?

I wish we would have given him a chance to try. Even if the chances were low. He’s defied the odds before a number of times.  What if he was able to do it?  Hip and all?

I know we’re about championships around here. But IT’s got the heart of a champion and I think if we gave him a shot.. it would’ve happened. Of course now we’ll never know.

Thank you IT. You’re amazing.

Now, on to the Uncle Drew era.

[jpotter33]

Okay, okay, okay... that one got me.

I've been a proponent of this trade since it started, especially after IT's injury severity was revealed. However, it does suck to lose someone who loved being a Celtic as much as IT. Hopefully Kyrie will revel in Celtic Pride as much as IT did in his two and a half years here.

And let me just say this - this trade was the best thing to happen to basketball in a long time. After how disappointing and one-sided last season was, this trade (along with the Hayward signing) not only created a new title contender in the East, it also created major intrigue between the East's top two teams.

Let's just hope that Kyrie will have a similar chip on his shoulder as IT, because you best believe that we're going to see IT's absolute best when (if) he faces us in the playoffs.

[max215]

Okay, okay, okay... that one got me.

I've been a proponent of this trade since it started, especially after IT's injury severity was revealed. However, it does suck to lose someone who loved being a Celtic as much as IT. Hopefully Kyrie will revel in Celtic Pride as much as IT did in his two and a half years here.

And let me just say this - this trade was the best thing to happen to basketball in a long time. After how disappointing and one-sided last season was, this trade (along with the Hayward signing) not only created a new title contender in the East, it also created major intrigue between the East's top two teams.

Let's just hope that Kyrie will have a similar chip on his shoulder as IT, because you best believe that we're going to see IT's absolute best when (if) he faces us in the playoffs.

No one, NO ONE has a similar chip on his shoulder to IT.

[konkmv]

life is a b... sometimes.. hope he recovers soon... but also hope we destroy their team... liked the little guy but all i care is the path to banner 18...

[86MaxwellSmart]

Love I.T......but---With that bad hip, he got run over by a Brinks Truck remark.

[ETNCeltics]

I thought IT for Kyrie made sense, especially with IT's injury.

But this hurts. I had written off the possibility of Ainge trading him because Celtic nation loved them some IT.

It may turn out to be a great move by Ainge, but man, he's coldblooded. Not sure how he made that phone call to IT.

[Vermont Green]

Very Classy.  Period.

I said in several posts that it is IT that is getting the shortest straw in this trade, and not all the fault of the Celtics.  The timing of this hip thing is the biggest issue.

In trying to put a positive spin on this, maybe it is good that Boston will remember him for last season which was up there with any season any Celtic has put up ever.  It is admittedly just one season but what a season.  If he stayed in Boston and had a down season due to his hip, it might take something away from his Boston legacy.  I know this may be a stretch but I am trying to find some silver lining in this for him.

No, he won't be Tom Brady or David Ortiz but he will have a legacy in Boston no matter what.  I can't think of a parallel player exactly but maybe Dennis Eckersley or Bill Walton (IT probably won't be a HOF though).  Perhaps others can help out and suggest a comparable for IT's legacy in Boston.  Plus he may end up with a nice legacy in Cleveland too, maybe even a championship.

[JBcat]

Screw it.  Trade Rozier and a pick for IT by the trade deadline to be our 6th man. Lol

[Tr1boy]

It was a cold move on the little guy.... Danny is a basstard but a shrewd businessman

Goodluck IT4 ...just not against the Celtics

[Tr1boy]

Love I.T......but---With that bad hip, he got run over by a Brinks Truck remark.

If someone who stole from you, rushed back to save you from a moving truck, lost an arm...... Would you still throw him in jail??

I think..this is how IT4 feels

[RJ87]

Very Classy.  Period.

I said in several posts that it is IT that is getting the shortest straw in this trade, and not all the fault of the Celtics.  The timing of this hip thing is the biggest issue.

In trying to put a positive spin on this, maybe it is good that Boston will remember him for last season which was up there with any season any Celtic has put up ever.  It is admittedly just one season but what a season.  If he stayed in Boston and had a down season due to his hip, it might take something away from his Boston legacy.  I know this may be a stretch but I am trying to find some silver lining in this for him.

No, he won't be Tom Brady or David Ortiz but he will have a legacy in Boston no matter what.  I can't think of a parallel player exactly but maybe Dennis Eckersley or Bill Walton (IT probably won't be a HOF though).  Perhaps others can help out and suggest a comparable for IT's legacy in Boston.  Plus he may end up with a nice legacy in Cleveland too, maybe even a championship.

Antoine Walker?

Hear me out.

A few All-Star seasons, a conference finals appearance, maybe shot a little too much, didn't win a championship while here, but gave the fans something to cheer for when we didn't have big title aspirations. Ultimately, a guy I remember in Celtics history pretty fondly.

[SparzWizard]

"If and when we have to face the Celtics"...you and LeBron James will have to be shut down completely. I got mad love and respect for you IT4, but Kyrie Irving gonna have to take you to school.