Stevens: We’re all together
CELTICS NOTEBOOK
Kyrie Irving’s announcement that he will re-sign with the Celtics next summer impacts the current team on multiple levels.
There is, for example, an almost immediate sense of security for teammates who can now count on the promise of his return.
“I think it’s very evident from him and everybody else, everybody is very committed to each other,” Brad Stevens said after yesterday’s practice. “That’s a great feeling. Certainly the idea that we have a goal we’re all chasing after and we’re together 110 percent in that thing is great. It’s always good to have that reaffirmed.
“I just think we all just want to come to work together and get better and be in a place where you enjoy being around each other and hopefully that’s the kind of environment that we have and continue to have.”
The point guard’s decision also reaffirmed for Stevens the drawing power of the Celtics brand. Stevens said Irving first shared his intentions at a practice on Thursday, prior to an open event held for season ticketholders that evening.
“I think one of the things we hope here is that we have a great environment and something that people want to be a part of,” said Stevens. “It’s always good to hear that reaffirmed. Obviously, Boston is a unique, special place to play, and I think all of our players understand that.
“I’ve always thought that he was really happy here,” the coach added. “I think that when you get a chance to play with guys like this, I think that makes it even more fun. So I think all of our guys would say that this is a great place to play, and they have special people.”
Professional respect
Irving is just starting to get a sense of the bond athletes from all of Boston’s professional sports teams share.
He got a taste of it after getting to know Julian Edelman while the Patriots receiver worked out in private at the Celtics practice facility.
Edelman wore an Irving Celtics jersey to the podium at Gillette Stadium Thursday night.
“I’m appreciative of him. He’s a great person,” said Irving. “Hopefully, I’ll ask the Patriots if they can give me a No. 11 jersey with my name on the back, just like Edelman. That’d be nice.
“I can’t really comment on other places,” he said of the Boston sports environment. “Being here for the last year, I can see with all the sports, we all support each other and want to see each other doing well. I’m a supporter of the Red Sox but I can’t call myself a Red Sox fan being from Jersey. I love the Red Sox and will support there from afar, but East Coast rivalry — woo.”
Stars not out
Irving, for rest purposes, and Gordon Hayward, who is nursing back soreness that required treatment on the bench during Tuesday’s exhibition loss to the Cavaliers, did not fly with the team to Cleveland for tonight’s exhibition finale.
There’s also a chance other players may miss the game.
“I don’t know yet. I’ll know more at the end of (yesterday’s) practice. There’s a chance,” said Stevens. …
Though Irving has long since disavowed any belief in the flat earth theory he once promoted, firmly tongue-in-cheek, he wore an Earth-themed T-shirt yesterday.
Asked about it, he said, “Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go, man.”