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  6. article_body => "<p>The Boston Celtics <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/boston\/celtics\/marcus-smart-celtics-more-ready-move-past-kyrie-irving-talk?b\" target=\"_blank\">are done talking about Kyrie Irving<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But Kevin Garnett is six years removed from playing in Boston, and he has some thoughts about Irving's Celtics&nbsp;tenure.<\/p>\n<p>During an interview Tuesday in New York to promote \"Uncut Gems,\" a new movie he stars in alongside Adam Sandler, Garnett said he wasn't surprised that Irving bolted after just two seasons to sign with the Brooklyn Nets.<\/p>\n<p>Why? Let KG explain as only KG can, via the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nydailynews.com\/sports\/basketball\/nets\/ny-celtics-nets-kevin-garnett-kyrie-irving-20191203-3bcu32lxtjfpxnqjlaohs3cecu-story.html\" target=\"_blank\">New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Boston\u2019s a tough town, dawg. You have to have some major cojones to be there. You got to want that. The people want it for you.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why Paul (Pierce) is perfect for it. Paul wants the shot every time. Like, \u2018You\u2019re 0-for-14.\u2019 And he\u2019s like, \u2018I know, but they WANT it.'<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Garnett's implication is that Irving didn't have the \"cojones\" to play in Boston, and in a way, that's true: Irving expressed his frustration with the Boston media on several occasions last season.<\/p>\n<p>But the former Celtics big man also believes Irving passed up a golden opportunity when he and Kevin Durant signed with the Nets instead of the cross-town New York Knicks.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/boston\/celtics\/chris-forsbergs-celtics-mailbag-do-celtics-need-bench-upgrade?int\" target=\"_blank\">Forsberg's Celtics Mailbag: Do C's need a bench upgrade?<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\"If they come to the city and dominate, man. \u2026 The first superstar to hit New York and be vibing is going to be bigger than life,\" Garnett said. \"Remember I said that.\"<\/p>\n<p>Garnett thrived in the Boston and Brooklyn markets thanks to his outsized personality and willingness to speak whatever was on his mind.<\/p>\n<p>It's safe to say Irving was on the opposite end of the spectrum -- which is why KG could have predicted his \"marriage\" with the Celtics wouldn't last.<\/p>\n<p><em><a data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb76e2c06579?site_id%3DDig_RSN_Bos%26creative_id%3Dnbcsbos1075%26cp_4%3Dwww.nbcsports.com%26cp_1%3Dwashington%26cp_2%3Dmyteams-nbc-sports%26cp_3%3Dnbcsbos1075&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1575475699524000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHOdfN6Qe2YTQfUIIrAnohF-leBoA\" href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb76e2c06579?site_id=Dig_RSN_Bos&amp;creative_id=nbcsbos1075&amp;cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&amp;cp_1=washington&amp;cp_2=myteams-nbc-sports&amp;cp_3=nbcsbos1075\" target=\"_blank\">Click here<\/a>&nbsp;to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.<\/em><\/p>\n"
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Celtics

Celtics

The Boston Celtics are done talking about Kyrie Irving.

But Kevin Garnett is six years removed from playing in Boston, and he has some thoughts about Irving's Celtics tenure.

During an interview Tuesday in New York to promote "Uncut Gems," a new movie he stars in alongside Adam Sandler, Garnett said he wasn't surprised that Irving bolted after just two seasons to sign with the Brooklyn Nets.

Why? Let KG explain as only KG can, via the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy:

Boston’s a tough town, dawg. You have to have some major cojones to be there. You got to want that. The people want it for you.

That’s why Paul (Pierce) is perfect for it. Paul wants the shot every time. Like, ‘You’re 0-for-14.’ And he’s like, ‘I know, but they WANT it.'

Garnett's implication is that Irving didn't have the "cojones" to play in Boston, and in a way, that's true: Irving expressed his frustration with the Boston media on several occasions last season.

But the former Celtics big man also believes Irving passed up a golden opportunity when he and Kevin Durant signed with the Nets instead of the cross-town New York Knicks.

"If they come to the city and dominate, man. … The first superstar to hit New York and be vibing is going to be bigger than life," Garnett said. "Remember I said that."

 

Garnett thrived in the Boston and Brooklyn markets thanks to his outsized personality and willingness to speak whatever was on his mind.

It's safe to say Irving was on the opposite end of the spectrum -- which is why KG could have predicted his "marriage" with the Celtics wouldn't last.

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.