Kyrie Irving finds comfort, peace with being a Celtic

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CANTON, Mass. – The questions a year ago this time surrounding Kyrie Irving centered around his decision to leave Cleveland.

Now, it’s all about his impending free agency.

The theme surrounding Irving is different now, and the same can be said for where he’s at heading into this season which bodes well for Boston and its chances of keeping the five-time All-star around for years to come.

“I’m not going through an emotional kind of roller coaster (this season),” Irving said during the Boston Celtics’ unofficial kick-off to the season, Media Day. “I’m just appreciative of the opportunity to finally be comfortable. That’s the biggest thing; I’m happy. It’s settling, it’s peaceful. I used to be nervous to come up here and talk to you guys because I was wondering what you guys would ask me. Now at this point, it’s like I really don’t care. As long as it’s about the team and how successful we can be and the potential of it, I’m excited about that. I find it comfortable and happy to be here now and present.”

For a player who tends to bob and weave his words in a manner that at times can be confusing and duplicitous, this was the kind of straight-no-chaser talk that you rarely hear from Kyrie Irving.

Of course it won’t totally shut off the valve of speculation as to where he’ll take his talents next summer.

But for Celtics fans, it provides a glimpse behind the often-opaque veil of thought that Irving has about the Boston Celtics franchise, one that envisions him being the next great player for the most storied franchise in the NBA.

Irving will undoubtedly come into the season with an edge about him, mindful of how he has missed the postseason in two of the last four seasons.

Having the game taken away from him has made him more “maniacal about the game,” he said.

“You start realizing you have to do a lot more of the little things than you did before,” Irving said. “In the weight room, diet, taking care of your mind and spirit.”

It is that aspect of Irving that more than anything else, has provided a sense of comfort here in Boston.

“As long as your mind and body are on the same accord, you’re pretty solid,” he said. “And last year it wasn’t; it wasn’t at all.”

It was surprising to hear Irving speak on multiple occasions about how challenging last season was for him, especially considering how it was one of the more efficient seasons the 26-year-old All-Star has had since coming into the NBA.

He averaged 24.2 points per game, shooting a career-best 49.1 percent from the field while grabbing a career-best 3.8 rebounds per contest while shooting better than 40 percent (40.8 percent specifically) from 3-point range for the third time in the last four seasons.

“It was crazy how I did it with the amount of distractions that were going on outside of it,” Irving said.

Said Celtics coach Brad Stevens: “He’s a special player, his ability to score the ball and make plays for himself or others. We’re thrilled he’s back and looking forward to going to work. He’s put in a lot of work to get back fully healthy; you can tell.”

And like most players, Irving intends to add something new to his overall game this season.

It’s called happiness.

“Maybe we’ll see what that looks like,” Irving said. “That’s a scary sight and I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to being out there, playing in front of the Boston fans again.”

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