Boston has been inside Kyrie’s head for too long. He was hailed during his two-season stint with the Celtics. Then he left for the Nets and became the villain of this city. The last time he came to Boston as a Nets player, he was booed relentlessly. This time the Celtics are his opponents in the NBA Finals. He’s still a villain, the atmosphere is meaner, and the rivals are the Mavs instead of the Nets, but Kyrie is different. The new and improved Kyrie Irving has not just been in better championship shape since 2016. He’s in a better spot mentally and able to tune out the hate. Even downplayed it as he did today.

The Mavericks are down 0-2 after losing 105-98 in TD Garden today. Most Celtics fans make this into a personal vendetta exacted upon the guy who left the team crudely. However, Irving is not letting it get to him. Not after he opened up about the toll the career slump in the last few seasons took on him early this year. “I struggled with anxiety, I struggle with depression, not really knowing what it was when I was a kid. I’ve struggled with PTSD. Just seeing the things in the environment that I was growing up in. So basketball wasn’t just a sport that I wanted to be professional, and it was an outlet for my pain,” he confessed.

In 2023, Irving made a moving statement when he said, “Please don’t suffer in silence. You don’t want to suffer in silence. It’s not worth it. This is a memo to all young kids. Please take care of your mental health.” It inspired many to pay more attention to the often-overlooked issue of mental health crisis in athletes.

He took his advice and sought therapy himself. Irving has shown improvement on the court and better mental fortitude. He’s been the voice of experience for a younger Dallas roster and a great partner for Luka Doncic on the court. However, Boston’s ire remains Kyrie-shaped.

He was met with boos again when he showed up in Game 1 and he demonstrated his progress with a cool, “I thought it was going to be louder in here,” post-game. In Game 1, Irving had a disappointing 12-point showing but was not affected by the jeers.

Kyrie Irving is a new person

His father, Drederick, was a Boston University superstar and Kyrie was one too when he arrived from Cleveland, fresh off a championship in 2017. Five years since he left the franchise but Boston hasn’t forgotten how, nor have they forgotten when Irving disrespected them by stomping on the Celtics logo during a playoff game. He showed remorse for his actions but hasn’t been forgiven.

During Game 2, the Celtics fired up the crowd by displaying that exact quote on TD Garden’s Jumbotron. TD Garden spectators responded “louder” with chants of “Kyrie Sucks,” every time the ball touched his hands. He struggled today too, finishing with 16 points and even Mavs fans turned on him. He didn’t remark about Boston fans after this game.

By most observers, he’s keeping a level head and tuning out the noise. Yet Boston seems determined to take down this villain.

Before leaving, check out how Caitlin Clark’s humility, despite the negativity surrounding her, impresses Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato.