Boston Celtics: Kyrie Irving morphing into an MVP-type leader

Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving truly embraced his leadership role during Wednesday nights comeback win over the Washington Wizards.

Back in the summer of 2017, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge knew what he was looking for in the acquisition of perennial All-Star guard, Kyrie Irving.

He was looking for a leader, who could help mentor the young talents of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Terry Rozier and one who could carry the heavy loaded pressure of fulfilling the expectations of being a Celtic with the enriched tradition of winning.

However, the Celtics started the 2018-19 season on the wrong foot. They opened their first 20 games with a .500 record at 10-10. Yet, it’s been said struggle that’s revealed the leadership emergence of Irving in his second season as a member of the Celtics.

More from Boston Celtics

Last night against the Washington Wizards we saw exactly that.

Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics entered the night short-handed yet again. Gordon Hayward (illness) and Al Horford (knee) were both among four player sidelined for this game.

However, unlike Monday night’s win against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Celtics had Kyrie Irving in their arsenal. Thus came the green’s leader.

Irving led the charge for Boston, eliminating an 11-point deficit in a dominant third quarter. An off and on battle against Washington’s John Wall which led to an absolutely epic overtime moment.

With just 19.7 seconds remaining in OT, Irving sunk a deep three from the top of the key to break a 125-125 tie. This shot would be the decider, capping off a season thriller and propelling the Boston Celtics to their seventh consecutive victory.

Purely clutch. It was as simple as that.

We’ve seen it time and time again. We saw it when he played in Cleveland, at times putting a dagger in the hearts of Celtics fans. Now Boston gets to kick back, relax, and let Kyrie Irving rectify late game pressure situations.

It happened just last month against the Phoenix Suns. At the time it was the early dog days of opening season basketball. Irving bailed the Celtics out of a 22-point hole with his own personal 18-point run which sparked an improbable comeback.

Reminiscent of what we witnessed last night from the Nations Capital. Irving did it again.

Twelve of Boston’s 17 overtime points came from Kyrie Irving. Uncle Drew would finish the night scoring 38 points with 3 rebounds and 7 assists while shooting 42.9 percent (12/28) from the field and a perfect 10/10 from the line.

Following the late night heroics, Celtics nation overtook the Capital One Area as a sea of “M-V-P” chants reigned over Kyrie Irving scoring his final two points at the line.

Most importantly, Kyrie Irving is embracing his role as Boston’s leader, and the Celtics overcoming their early season struggles quickly. A seven-game win streak has shown us that the Cs are finally finding their groove.

Next. The 5 faces of the Boston Celtics: The coach, the stars and the future. dark

With the win, the Celtics remain 3rd in the Atlantic Division and 5th in the Eastern Conference. They currently sit just 3.5 games shy of the Milwaukee Bucks spot for second in the East, a team who Boston will be facing following their next three meetings (Hawks, Pistons, Suns).

The Boston Celtics will next square off against the 6 win, 21 loss Atlanta Hawks at home on Friday night.

Home/Boston Celtics