Kyrie Irving Goodbye Thread

[greenroom31]

Meeting Notes:

DA: Hey Kyrie -- we haven't heard a word from you since the end of the season but based on cryptic social media messages, the word is you're going to Brooklyn. It would've been nice if you could've given us a courtesy heads-up, but at this point we really just want to get confirmation that you're signing elsewhere so we can know where we sit prior to the draft.

KI: The universe is full of good and bad. I must take care of my Light people. The journey of a thousand steps is meaningless if you do not walk it in the shoes of your friends. Smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone. Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow.

DA: So is that a yes, you're leaving...?

KI: Look Danny, can I call you Danny? Should I say Mr. Ainge? You and I are friends right Mr. Ainge, or at least our souls are the same. We are made of the same stuff -- of genuine love and blood and energy. I need to follow my energy to where it originates, and that is my art. I can't deny it because I AM it. It is me.

DA <exasperated>: Kyrie. Yes or no. Leaving or staying. Come on just give me a simple direct 1 word answer.

KI: Hermetic Friends Inc.

DA: You know what?: Go sign somewhere else... just... go away.

[KGboss]

Meeting Notes:

DA: Hey Kyrie -- we haven't heard a word from you since the end of the season but based on cryptic social media messages, the word is you're going to Brooklyn. It would've been nice if you could've given us a courtesy heads-up, but at this point we really just want to get confirmation that you're signing elsewhere so we can know where we sit prior to the draft.

KI: The universe is full of good and bad. I must take care of my Light people. The journey of a thousand steps is meaningless if you do not walk it in the shoes of your friends. Smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone. Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow.

DA: So is that a yes, you're leaving...?

KI: Look Danny, can I call you Danny? Should I say Mr. Ainge? You and I are friends right Mr. Ainge, or at least our souls are the same. We are made of the same stuff -- of genuine love and blood and energy. I need to follow my energy to where it originates, and that is my art. I can't deny it because I AM it. It is me.

DA <exasperated>: Kyrie. Yes or no. Leaving or staying. Come on just give me a simple direct 1 word answer.

KI: Hermetic Friends Inc.

DA: You know what?: Go sign somewhere else... just... go away.

Basically

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[cloverleaf]

Ha ha.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I don't think that is the case... i think ainge right now would give kyrie the max if he wanted it...

but assume you are right. if thats the case, why not deal irving at the deadline? on either side of it, it seems like a bad strategy

Ainge didn't deal him at the deadline because at that time, despite all of the rumors already, Irving appeared to still be on track to sign with the Celtics. Also, his relationship to AD was going to be a recruiting tool to convince AD to stay.

But you are correct though - if Kyrie wanted to stay, Ainge would definitely sign him to the max. Even if things went off the rails again, it would still be easier to trade him if he had another few seasons under contract.

That makes sense but you are looking at it wrong... you need to look at it from Ainges view.

if he wanted to bring back kyrie, you go get someone to help ensure that happens, even if kyrie looks like he is staying. that never happened. im not sure why. Ainge was certainly kicking tires on guys and certaily had the assets even if you make tatum untouchable

First of all - who are you trading for? Second - when are you trading for him? I'm having a hard time understanding your strategy to keep Kyrie here. Which guy, other than KD, would be enough to convince him to stay?

[Writebloc]

Piggy backing on the meeting notes idea only told exclusively through the video interpretation of Kyrie's most representative 90's band - Third Eye Blind

DA:

Watch on YouTube

Kyrie:

Watch on YouTube

DA:

Watch on YouTube

Kyrie:

Watch on YouTube

DA:

Watch on YouTube

Kyrie:

Watch on YouTube

[jfs1000d]

The fans don’t want him here.

Kyrie not talking has poisoned the wellZ it’s
Over. His inability to commit made AD trade impossible. Let’s move on.

Celtics won 49 games this year. He is replaceable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Afam]

People should speak for themselves. Not everyone wants him gone.

[Boston508617]

I fully believe kyrie showed he could help us beat the bucks in game 1 if he wanted to, and then sandbagged the rest of the games.... which makes me hate him even more. Please just get his a** out of here already. I cant wait to see the Jays take control next season.

[SmartWentCrazy]

I'm really not sure on Ainge's angle this entire time. even if he thought he had a leg up on Kyrie I think a smart GM would still hedge and consolidate some assets for another star/fringe star to help keep Kyrie in town. Not just butler/kawhi/KD/AD but maybe go after a guy in a walk year like julius randle or otto porter or even have tried to pull away beal.

i thinkin shipping out say brown or rozier would have even maybe helped chemistry... swap a young guy not getting enough time for a vet more likely to accept a role while sending a message to other young guys and appeasing the win now vets.

being hell bent on keeping tatum is fine... but i refuse to believe there wasnt even like a capella to be had with all bostons young athletes

The goal was never to build around Kyrie as our best player. The goal was to trade for AD and have him be our best player with Kyrie as our #2. Kyrie said **** that, I’m outta here. AD said **** that, I wont play for you.

Trading for a fringe star just wouldve just us in a position where Kyrie is your best player, which will never result in a championship.

[soxfan2003]

I don't think that is the case... i think ainge right now would give kyrie the max if he wanted it...

but assume you are right. if thats the case, why not deal irving at the deadline? on either side of it, it seems like a bad strategy

Ainge didn't deal him at the deadline because at that time, despite all of the rumors already, Irving appeared to still be on track to sign with the Celtics. Also, his relationship to AD was going to be a recruiting tool to convince AD to stay.

But you are correct though - if Kyrie wanted to stay, Ainge would definitely sign him to the max. Even if things went off the rails again, it would still be easier to trade him if he had another few seasons under contract.

That makes sense but you are looking at it wrong... you need to look at it from Ainges view.

if he wanted to bring back kyrie, you go get someone to help ensure that happens, even if kyrie looks like he is staying. that never happened. im not sure why. Ainge was certainly kicking tires on guys and certaily had the assets even if you make tatum untouchable

It seems to me that Ainge was valuing Kyrie more as a marketing tool to help sell/raise the price of tickets then as a basketball player to help win a championship. And perhaps, the Celtics were just watching the finances too much to truly care about maximizing the teams chances to win this year.

Another way of looking at it. Celtics wanted Kyrie back but not at the potential cost of lets say cutting into profits by even a total of 15-25 million.

By Ainge's public comments, he treated Kyrie Irving as a star. By his actions, he didn't at all. I am not a big Kyrie Irving fan but I don't blame the guy for walking out the door. I agree with you that if Ainge really wanted Kyrie to stay, Ainge should have done something this year.

[Gooner]

Ainge didn't deal him at the deadline because at that time, despite all of the rumors already, Irving appeared to still be on track to sign with the Celtics. Also, his relationship to AD was going to be a recruiting tool to convince AD to stay.

But you are correct though - if Kyrie wanted to stay, Ainge would definitely sign him to the max. Even if things went off the rails again, it would still be easier to trade him if he had another few seasons under contract.

That makes sense but you are looking at it wrong... you need to look at it from Ainges view.

if he wanted to bring back kyrie, you go get someone to help ensure that happens, even if kyrie looks like he is staying. that never happened. im not sure why. Ainge was certainly kicking tires on guys and certaily had the assets even if you make tatum untouchable

It seems to me that Ainge was valuing Kyrie more as a marketing tool to help sell/raise the price of tickets then as a basketball player to help win a championship. And perhaps, the Celtics were just watching the finances too much to truly care about maximizing the teams chances to win this year.

Another way of looking at it. Celtics wanted Kyrie back but not at the potential cost of lets say cutting into profits by even a total of 15-25 million.

By Ainge's public comments, he treated Kyrie Irving as a star. By his actions, he didn't at all. I am not a big Kyrie Irving fan but I don't blame the guy for walking out the door. I agree with you that if Ainge really wanted Kyrie to stay, Ainge should have done something this year.

Exactly, Ainge was building this team around the player that wasn't even on it. His fantasy basketball only added fuel to the fire with Kyrie. He wanted to win now, and he didn't feel the same ambition from Ainge. That's why he got so desperate.

[Prokorov]

Ainge didn't deal him at the deadline because at that time, despite all of the rumors already, Irving appeared to still be on track to sign with the Celtics. Also, his relationship to AD was going to be a recruiting tool to convince AD to stay.

But you are correct though - if Kyrie wanted to stay, Ainge would definitely sign him to the max. Even if things went off the rails again, it would still be easier to trade him if he had another few seasons under contract.

That makes sense but you are looking at it wrong... you need to look at it from Ainges view.

if he wanted to bring back kyrie, you go get someone to help ensure that happens, even if kyrie looks like he is staying. that never happened. im not sure why. Ainge was certainly kicking tires on guys and certaily had the assets even if you make tatum untouchable

First of all - who are you trading for? Second - when are you trading for him? I'm having a hard time understanding your strategy to keep Kyrie here. Which guy, other than KD, would be enough to convince him to stay?

I think Butler would have gotten it done. but who knows

[amory87]

So now apparently he's ghosting the Celtics?

That's actually perfect. Immature avoidance tactics are exactly how a guy like Kyrie would handle this situation.

Can't wait to hear how "Boston just wasn't meant to be a long term destination on his spiritual journey through this thing we call life, as human spiritual beings" or whatever word salad BS he comes up with during the introductory press conference.

[3D Chess]

That makes sense but you are looking at it wrong... you need to look at it from Ainges view.

if he wanted to bring back kyrie, you go get someone to help ensure that happens, even if kyrie looks like he is staying. that never happened. im not sure why. Ainge was certainly kicking tires on guys and certaily had the assets even if you make tatum untouchable

First of all - who are you trading for? Second - when are you trading for him? I'm having a hard time understanding your strategy to keep Kyrie here. Which guy, other than KD, would be enough to convince him to stay?

I think Butler would have gotten it done. but who knows

And then what? Give Butler the max and top out as a ECF team? He walks and we gave up assets for nothing?

Kyrie isn't a #1 guy (despite what he may think), and Danny's only play to get him one of those, was to wait for this offseason and AD (with a long shot at KD in an alternate universe). If Kyrie was too dumb to see that Danny's hands were tied, but that help was likely on the way if he toed the line, that's on him.

**** the Rose rule by the way.

[Gooner]

First of all - who are you trading for? Second - when are you trading for him? I'm having a hard time understanding your strategy to keep Kyrie here. Which guy, other than KD, would be enough to convince him to stay?

I think Butler would have gotten it done. but who knows

And then what? Give Butler the max and top out as a ECF team? He walks and we gave up assets for nothing?

Kyrie isn't a #1 guy (despite what he may think), and Danny's only play to get him one of those, was to wait for this offseason and AD (with a long shot at KD in an alternate universe). If Kyrie was too dumb to see that Danny's hands were tied, but that help was likely on the way if he toed the line, that's on him.

**** the Rose rule by the way.

Who is gonna be #1 guy next year? Tatum? Maybe that satsifies Danny Ainge. Danny could have made some adjustements. Trading Rozier was the least he could do.

[Prokorov]

First of all - who are you trading for? Second - when are you trading for him? I'm having a hard time understanding your strategy to keep Kyrie here. Which guy, other than KD, would be enough to convince him to stay?

I think Butler would have gotten it done. but who knows

And then what? Give Butler the max and top out as a ECF team? He walks and we gave up assets for nothing?

Kyrie isn't a #1 guy (despite what he may think), and Danny's only play to get him one of those, was to wait for this offseason and AD (with a long shot at KD in an alternate universe). If Kyrie was too dumb to see that Danny's hands were tied, but that help was likely on the way if he toed the line, that's on him.

**** the Rose rule by the way.

maybe you keep butler, let kyrie walk and use butler/tatum to convice AD to come. alot of options

point is, if ainge wanted kyrie long term... which it seems he does, he shouldhave done what it took to bring someone in imo

[hickfromfrenchlick]

I hope we get a Bulpett article after the meeting that explains essentially how Kyrie justified his unhappiness to Danny and Brad and his reasons for leaving them holding an empty bag after we gave him exactly what he claimed he wanted in the beginning.....

Part of me sort of wonders if this meeting couldn't be a 'come to Jesus' moment for Kyrie and they can agree to give it another try BUT from all reports outside and inside it sounds like he's gone. All of that aside from the one Bulpett report that claimed he hadn't completely closed the door on a return to Boston.

I just don't understand how you can give up an extra year of a contract, more money, a great team with an opportunity to contend for the next decade and a team where you are hailed as the de facto "leader". The latter being the most important since that's basically the his gripe was in Cleveland. I really want to hear his justifications/reasons for leaving that all on the table. All of this after he, according to reports, wrote the verbiage for that god damn Nike commercial.

If he does leave, I don't remember who mentioned in on here, but I'd give anything for the team to play that commercial during the first time out of our first home game with the Nets That would be **** epic.

There's no rational explanation. He wanted his own team, (a) on which he could be the alpha and team leader, and (b) which could compete for a title. He had all of those things in his lap. And he's going to throw them away for what? Brooklyn? The Knicks? Huh?

I've decided that he doesn't know WTF he wants. That he's not malevolent but a straight-up weirdo who thinks his IQ is 60 points higher than it is, and is constantly over-thinking everything.

Fine, maybe he's not the only reason the team didn't play cohesively, and maybe Brad didn't have a great year, but that's all fixable. The Knicks, post-lottery loss? Not fixable. The Nets? Cute story, but come on.

[BigTrade92]

One thing's for sure, this dude has made HIMSELF look like a total immature ass on his way out the door.

This "pseudo-intellectual" bullsh*t he tries to spew to try and make himself look intelligent isn't fooling a damn soul anymore.

He's a spoiled child, masquerading as an adult.

[hickfromfrenchlick]

Or maybe Ainge doesn't think Kyrie is worth it. I mean, the guy is hated by 75% of his teammates. Fine and dandy if you can drag your team to wins a la MJ and Kobe, but Kyrie - he's not good enough to be an a-hole.

Enjoy him in Brooklyn though. He's a fun player to watch. I will miss his highlight reel.

I don't think that is the case... i think ainge right now would give kyrie the max if he wanted it...

but assume you are right. if thats the case, why not deal irving at the deadline? on either side of it, it seems like a bad strategy

I think you are right. Even if Kyrie was hated by his teammates, if Ainge had his choice, he'd bring him back if only just to move him later on for assets rather than lose him for nothing.

Losing him for nothing is worst case scenario & we are likely to play that out. People trying to convince themselves otherwise are foolish. I'm not saying the Celtics are screwed but this would not be a positive for us. Thankfully, we didn't break the bank for him. Much like we wouldn't for AD without any long term assurances from him.

Worst case scenario is moving him for another expensive guy whose leg falls off 5 minutes into his first game.

[soxfan2003]

I think Butler would have gotten it done. but who knows

And then what? Give Butler the max and top out as a ECF team? He walks and we gave up assets for nothing?

Kyrie isn't a #1 guy (despite what he may think), and Danny's only play to get him one of those, was to wait for this offseason and AD (with a long shot at KD in an alternate universe). If Kyrie was too dumb to see that Danny's hands were tied, but that help was likely on the way if he toed the line, that's on him.

**** the Rose rule by the way.

maybe you keep butler, let kyrie walk and use butler/tatum to convice AD to come. alot of options

point is, if ainge wanted kyrie long term... which it seems he does, he shouldhave done what it took to bring someone in imo

I am not a big Kyrie fan but I agree with your comments here that something needed to be done. Kyrie is a bad to mediocre defender for a PG depending upon his effort. Ainge did next to nothing in the short term to try to hide that weakness more. Some will say he paired him with Smart. Smart was drafted before Kyrie was even on the Celtics.

If you have Kyrie at PG and a group of SF's without an elite physical defender, you sure need better defensive combo than Morris at PF and an aging Horford at center. Can't really even count Baynes that much since he isn't good enough to play major minutes.
Horford is good against Embiid but not so great against the freak wing penetrators. And Morris seems to try but he isn't a talented defender.

I think Kyrie is doing the Celtics a big favor by leaving. Among many other things, Danny Ainge and Wyc need wakeup calls.