Jayson Tatum reveals Kyrie Irving’s feelings about the Celtics

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Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.

For the second consecutive season, the Boston Celtics will face the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. In a strange way, everything is set up to be completely different, yet completely the same. They differ in that both propellers have changed a lot since last year, and this time, Boston is the higher seed. But they are similar in the sense that they have the same core people there.

Whenever Kyrie Irving returns to town, the story makes headlines. Irving’s story with the Celtics is well-documented, and it’s one that most Bostonians wish they could forget. Though at the same time, it’s one of those things they can’t forget, as they repeatedly booed Irving as he stepped foot into TD Garden.

And while he compares himself to Boston’s ex-girlfriends in the past, it’s not hard to see why Celtics fans love to boo him. He stepped out in front of a crowd of fans and told them he planned to re-sign in Boston. Then he didn’t. Everyone is allowed to change their mind, but that doesn’t mean everyone will be happy about it.

Obviously no love is lost between the two. That being said, Celtics star Jayson Tatum recently revealed that there may be a bit of regret on Irving’s side.

Tatum reveals Irving’s feelings about Celtics departure

After Boston practice on April 13, Tatum spoke to the media and was asked about the upcoming game against Irving and the Nets. More specifically, the topic of his relationship with Irving was brought up. Surprisingly, the young star mentioned that Irving regrets the way he left things with the Celtics:

Obviously, we talked and there were some things that he told me that he wished he would have done differently. But, I think that’s just part of life. You know, no one is perfect. You just have to continue it as you get older.

The 24-year-old declined to comment further on the matter, leaving fans with a certain sense of mystery. As mentioned, there’s really no love lost between Irving and Celtics fans, but a “what if” is sure to hang on for both sides. Irving’s Celtics are said to be a super team. Instead, they disbanded for a few seasons.

The pair remain close and Tatum mentioned in his press conference that he learned a lot from Irving during their two years together. It’s no surprise to hear that the two are still talking, but it’s certainly interesting to hear that Irving has some regrets.

Irving’s tenure in Boston and its antics since

During his two years in Boston, Irving scored 127 appearances, but played in only nine playoffs. Of course, all of that came during the Boston season that was knocked out by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round. That series was the final straw for Irving and the Celtics.

The following season, instead of signing the aforementioned contract extension, Irving left Boston for Brooklyn, choosing to date his longtime friend Kevin Durant. Looking back, it’s clear the two have been planning to join forces for a while.

A few years and a pandemic later, Irving and Durant remained teammates, but neither he nor the Celtics could escape the tale of hatred that connected them. Just last season, Irving himself stepped on the Celtics logo in the middle of TD Garden. This led to outrage among Celtics fans, adding to a long list of problems they have with the superstar.

So while Tatum’s story of Irving’s regret is certainly an interesting one, it’s highly unlikely that it changes the relationship between the two. Irving clearly still has a disdain for Boston, and Celtics fans don’t like Irving at all. That’s it.