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Brooklyn Nets: Kyrie Irving getting revenge on the Celtics was beyond satisfying

ByJerry Trotta|
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 25, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 25, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)

Nets point guard Kyrie Irving finally got well-deserved revenge on the Celtics.

We know it’s a limited sample size, but the Brooklyn Nets have looked every bit the part of a championship contender in their first two games of the season. On opening night, they easily disposed of a undermanned, but talented Warriors team.

Fast forward a few days later to Christmas, and Brooklyn absolutely showed out on national television against the Celtics, a team many analysts picked to come out of the East this season, winning by a lopsided final score of 123-95.

While the Nets delivered a complete team performance, Kyrie Irving stood out among the rest, proving that he established long before tipoff that he wanted to make a statement against his former squad.

When all was said and done, Irving set a new Christmas Day franchise record with 37 points, passing the previous mark of 36 points set by Michael Richardson back in 1984.

The All-Star point guard also contributed six rebounds and eight assists on 13-of-21 shooting (61.9%), including 7-of-10 on threes. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that Brooklyn outscored Boston by 31 with him on the court.

After the game, Irving was understandably in great spirits, but made sure to note that he isn’t taking too much away from his first two performances.

"“It was nothing tactical going into the second half,” he told reporters.” It was really up to us to make high basketball IQ plays and then be able to stop them on the defensive end.“What’s there to be content about? What’s there to be happy about? It’s two games. Let’s move on to the next game. Let’s get ready for Charlotte. Let’s go do this thing again. Let’s have some fun.“Obviously, we want this season to go in a very patient current. We don’t want to rush this. I know what history looks like, and when you’re a part of it, and I don’t want to take any day for granted, so I’m grateful I get to share it this journey with these guys.”"

Given the sustained tongue-lashing Irving received from the media during his Celtics tenure, which ended without a Finals appearance, this performance was really written in the stars. He obviously didn’t do himself any favors with his comments off the court, but any objective basketball fan could gather that his criticism was blown out of proportion.

Only the ungrateful city of Boston could constantly harp on a guy who averaged 24.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game with impeccable .489/.404/.881 shooting splits over two seasons.

We’d count on Irving to post similar numbers with the Nets, and you know what? We’re actually going to appreciate him…unlike a certain fan base.