BOSTON -- If only the Boston Celtics’ recent skid were as short as Kyrie Irving’s post-game press conference following Sunday’s 115-104 loss to the Houston Rockets.
The first question was, “How tough was that one?”
Irving’s response?
“It was tough.”
He was then asked about the team’s first half.
“We just didn’t play well,” Irving said.
Another question centered around whether he had gone through something similar to what he’s experiencing now, which was soon followed by an affirmative nod from Irving.
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It was that kind of post-game presser which lasted all of 90 seconds before team officials asked if there were any final questions. Once that question was asked, Irving was on his way.
Boston Celtics
“Play better” was his response when asked what does the team need to do better going forward.
His response to each question was a short, measured sampling of his thoughts which we all know are expansive more times than not.
It felt as though Irving was going out of his way to say as little as possible, trying to avoid boiling over with issues that have been simmiring for some time, likely to be emotions that fall into at least one of the following emotional buckets:
FRUSTRATION
Boston has now lost five of its last six games, and seven of 10. They left for the West coast shortly after Sunday’s loss to for four straight games against teams that are either current playoff-bound clubs, teams that beat them at least once this season or teams in the playoff race out West.
To go into a stretch like that after getting manhandled for most of Sunday’s game, is certainly something that one can understand would get under Irving’s skin -- especially being the team’s leader, while struggling to figure out the best way to get the best out of those around him more consistently.
ANGER
If the dominant emotion Irving was feeling was anger, saying as little as possible might have been the best for all involved. He knows better than most how his words, no matter how well-intentioned, always have the potential to take on a life of their own, depending on how they are interpreted.
I’m sure there is some element of anger within him as far as how this season has been playing out lately, but his mood is far too unpredictable to feel confident that this emotion is at the heart of his short post-game presser.
DETACHMENT
Of all the emotions he can have following the loss, this is the one that’s most disturbing. Because this is the one that has the greatest potential to have a major impact on those around him. Regardless of how some fans may feel about Kyrie Irving, he is the team’s leader, and his mood has a major impact on those around him. If there’s a sense among the players that he’s not all-in as far as what they’re looking to do, it will have an adverse impact on the rest of the team.
The last question Irving was asked was whether he thought this team could come together on its upcoming West coast trip which begins at Golden State on Tuesday.
“We’ll see,” he said.
Yes. We. Will.
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