Three Boston Celtics things: Horford’s impact and Smart’s absence

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 23: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics drives past Robin Lopez #42 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 126-116. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 23: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics drives past Robin Lopez #42 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 126-116. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 07: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Thing 3: You said what now, Kyrie?

Kyrie Irving interviewed Celtics legend Bob Cousy. Irving asked Cousy early in the interview, “how was it in the beginning stages having such great pieces on your team, as we have here?”

Look, I know Irving didn’t mean to draw a direct comparison between this reality show squad and the Celtics team that won repeated championships and put 8 guys in the Hall of Fame.

But he kinda did, didn’t he? We could play political analyst and examine this a million different ways, but “as we have here” wasn’t an accident.

Maybe that simply means Irving still thinks this team is stacked with greatness, and it’s a sign he’s confident headed to the playoffs. He has said recently that he’s not worried about the regular season results, insinuating that the basketball that actually matters is right around the corner. I guess that confidence is good, but process matters.

Danny Ainge also had a one-on-one conversation with Marcus Smart. Ainge told Smart that earlier in the season, when Smart was approaching Ainge’s three-point record, he wanted to trade him. And here we were all thinking Kyrie was the real source of drama on the team!

Next. Boston Celtics: What to expect as the NBA playoffs roll around. dark

This is going off the rails. Moral of the story, the playoffs are finally here, Celtics fans should be cautiously optimistic, and Kyrie Irving is a confident, strange man.