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Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) shoots over Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, May 22, 2021, in New York. AP Photo/Corey Sipkin

After former Celtic Kyrie Irving’s comments earlier this week, Boston’s TD Garden crowd is right in the national spotlight.

Irving, who played with the Celtics from 2017-19, made the eye-opening comments ahead of his first game as a Brooklyn Net at TD Garden in front of fans on Friday night since leaving the Celtics organization in 2019.

“It’s not my first time being an opponent in Boston,” Irving said. “I’m just looking forward to competing with my teammates and hopefully we can just keep it strictly basketball. There’s no belligerence or racism going on, subtle racism, or people yelling s— from the crowd.”

Irving was asked whether he has experienced racism in Boston before in the wake of those comments.

“I am not the only one who can attest to this, but it is just, you know (throws hands in the air) it is what it is,” he said.

Irving’s comments shifted the focus from the first-round series between the Celtics and Nets to Boston’s history of racism. Many of the Celtics’ top brass has commented on Irving’s remarks, including Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge, while former Celtic-turned-analyst Kendrick Perkins had a passionate response, saying he never experienced racism during his time in Boston.

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With the Celtics and Nets tipping off Game 3 of their best-of-seven series at 8:30 p.m. Friday at TD Garden, the attention shifts to the home crowd. It’s a reality some Boston players live with, including Marcus Smart, the longest-tenured Celtic.

When asked whether he has heard racial remarks made against opposing players from the Boston crowd, Smart confirmed he had.

“Yeah, I’ve heard a couple of them,” Smart said after practice Thursday. “It’s kind of sad and sickening. Even though it’s an opposing team, we’ve had guys on your home team that you’re saying these racial slurs and you expect us to go out here and play for you. It’s tough.

“We just want everyone to be respectful — on and off the court. We want that same respect that we give to fans and the crowd to come out here and put on a good show and not to interfere in that type of manner with them. We expect the same in return for us.”

AINGE ACKNOWLEDGED that the Celtics organization takes Irving’s comments about hoping to avoid subtle racism at TD Garden seriously, but he told Toucher and Rich on 98.5 the Sports Hub on Thursday morning that he has never heard those concerns from Irving or any other player with the team during his 26 years as a player and executive.

“Quite honestly, I have never heard any of it,” Ainge said. “I’m not saying the city of Boston, I’m saying the TD Garden. I think our fans are very respectful.”

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Ainge continued: “I think that we take those kinds of things seriously. I never heard any of that from any player in my 26 years in Boston. I never heard that from Kyrie, and I talked to him quite a bit. I don’t know. As far as I’m concerned, we’re just playing basketball. Players can say what they want.”

Ainge was also asked whether he believed that those comments by Irving could influence other players’ decisions about playing in Boston in the future.

“I think that everybody’s influencing somebody,” he said. “So yeah, I think that there’s — my fear is that could possibly happen. But I think that our players, and players that have played here in the past, all have their experiences to share, and that’s just one player.”

When it comes to the response that Irving will garner on Friday night as 5,000 fans fill TD Garden, Ainge hopes everyone in attendance will remain respectful while creating a fun atmosphere.

“I’m not sure what I say is going to make a difference,” Ainge admitted. “Fans will do what they want to do. I’ve been booed a million times in my career and I enjoy it. I got a kick out of Trae Young last night. He was getting booed in New York and he was thriving in it, excelling in it and embracing it. I think it’s fun and a part of the game.”

HAVING FANS in the stands was supposed to be a reward for players and coaches after a strange season of COVID-19 testing, protocol and struggles.

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As more people were vaccinated, stadiums allowed droves of fans back — just in time for the postseason. Playoff atmosphere was finally back, the unmistakable buzz and energy that accompanies high-stakes basketball.

But the ugly side of fans returning is at the forefront of the league.

A 76ers fan poured popcorn on the Wizards’ Russell Westbrook at Wells Fargo Arena, which prompted the team to ban the fan and revoke his season tickets. A Knicks fan spit on the Hawks’ Trae Young at Madison Square Garden; the team banned that supporter from further games.

Now the spotlight — right or wrong — is on Celtics fans. Boston once again grapples with its history of racial issues, especially when it comes to sports stars, after Kyrie Irving said Tuesday he hopes there’s no “belligerence” or “subtle racism” in his long-anticipated return to TD Garden.

Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said he welcomes Boston’s road atmosphere pending one caveat: “You don’t want the fans to cross that line.”

“We want the vitriol as long as it’s not over the line,” Nash said Thursday. “We want to face some adversity. That noise, that energy coming from the opposing fans is something that can spur your team on, it’s a challenge to help you lock in and be more focused. There’s no better feeling than playing well on the road, especially in the playoffs.”

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Nash said he hasn’t talked to Irving about his return to Boston because he’s an “all-world basketball player” and is well-accustomed to an away crowd. Irving noted Tuesday postgame that it’s not the first time he’s played as an opponent in Boston.

Irving’s comments about racism in Boston is what has sparked the conversation — especially for a city that was infamously called the “flea market of racism” by Celtics legend Bill Russell.

Irving’s Nets are up 2-0 on the Celtics in the first-round series. Friday will be the first time Boston fans see Irving after he left for Brooklyn two seasons ago, teaming up with friend and fellow superstar Kevin Durant.

When the Celtics traded for Irving in 2017, the point guard was expected to lead a roster brimming with championship aspirations. That wasn’t the case during an up-and-down two seasons.

While the C’s did come a win away from the NBA Finals in his first season, Irving didn’t suit up because of injury.

Irving’s second and final season in Boston ended in a whimper, falling to the Bucks in five games as the star guard struggled mightily. Prior to the 2018-19 season, Irving said he would re-sign with the Celtics during a season ticket holder event; months later, he was headed to Brooklyn instead.

Between injuries and the pandemic, Irving hasn’t played in front of Celtics fans since he signed with the Nets.

That changes Friday. But amid fan issues around the league, and along with Irving’s comments, many eyes will be on Boston and how fans react.

“I’m sure he’ll relish the opportunity,” Nash said of Irving. “There is a line, but whether crossed or not, Ky can handle that. No question. We hope it’s all within the sportsmanship guidelines, so to speak. But Ky can handle it and has done so his whole career.”


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