In an interview with The Athletic, Al Horford, former teammate of Kyrie Irving on the Boston Celtics, shared his thoughts on the ongoing drama surrounding Irving's tenure with the team. As the Dallas Mavericks face off against the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals, the narrative of Irving's complicated relationship with his former team continues to capture attention.

Irving, who played for the Celtics from 2017 to 2019, did not have the most amicable experience during his time in Boston. This strained relationship led to intense fan animosity, with Celtics supporters even displaying a blow-up doll with Irving's face before Game 1 of the finals, only to destroy it following their team's resounding victory over the Mavericks.

While Celtics fans continue to show their resentment towards Irving, Horford, known for his level-headedness, expressed a different perspective. He acknowledged that there may not be a strong relationship between him and Irving, but emphasized the existence of mutual respect.

Horford stated, "Things happen in life, and obviously things didn't work out here how we wanted it. But it's already been a few years, and in my eyes, I'm already looking past it. We've been over it. I feel like he's over it, I feel like I'm over it, and we're looking to the next chapter."

Irving's arrival in Boston in 2017 was marked by an attempt to step out of the shadow of LeBron James, with the Cleveland Cavaliers orchestrating a trade that brought him to the Celtics. In his first season, the Celtics came tantalizingly close to advancing to the NBA Finals but fell short in the Eastern Conference championship series against James and the Cavaliers. Irving, however, was unable to contribute to the playoffs due to injury and faced criticism for not attending Game 7 to support his teammates.

The following season, the Celtics made it to the playoffs but were eliminated in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks. Irving's struggles on the offensive end were magnified during this playoff run, particularly in the Bucks series where he struggled to find his shooting rhythm.

Despite hinting at re-signing with the Celtics, Irving eventually made the move to the Brooklyn Nets. Now, as the Mavericks and Celtics clash in the NBA Finals, the focus remains on the turbulent history between Irving and his former team.

Meanwhile, Horford and the Celtics are determined to secure their 18th NBA title, taking a significant step towards that goal with a convincing victory in Game 1. Horford had an impactful performance, contributing 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two 3-pointers. On the other hand, Irving struggled against Boston's defense, scoring only 12 points on 6-of-19 shooting from the field.

As Game 2 of the NBA Finals approaches, the Celtics look to build on their momentum and further bury the Mavericks. The crucial matchup is set to take place on Sunday night in Boston, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

The drama surrounding Irving and the Celtics adds an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be an exhilarating series, as the two teams compete for the ultimate prize in basketball.