Kyrie Irving shouts out Tommy Heinsohn for comments about his fitness: 'It was the truth'

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2018/10/boston_celtics_kyrie_irving_sh_1.html



Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving shouts out Tommy Heinsohn for comments about his fitness: 'It was the truth'



Updated 5:59 AM; Posted 5:57 AM



Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving shouts out Tommy Heinsohn for saying Irving needs to be in better shape

By Tom Westerholm



BOSTON -- Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving shouted out Tommy Heinsohn for his comments about Irving's fitness on Tuesday, saying the legendary Celtics color announcer (and coach and player) was "absolutely right."

"It's always great when someone challenges you like that," Irving said. "Especially with the respect level that I have for past Celtics legends. And for him to really kinda pinpoint as me being one of the leaders on this team, the main vocal point of this team, I had to be in better shape as well as challenge myself on both ends of the floor. I think he made it very clear to me."

Irving's comments came roughly a week after Heinsohn said on an NBC Sports Boston broadcast that Irving was looking a little hefty.

"To me he looks like he's five pounds overweight," Heinsohn said. "But I haven't seen him on a scale."


In a post-game interview with NBC Sports Boston's Abby Chin after dropping 31 points against the Detroit Pistons, Irving shouted out Tommy Heinsohn when asked if his new haircut made him feel sleeker.

"Uh maybe, maybe," Irving said. "Shout out to my man Tommy Heinsohn though. He got me in shape."

Irving expanded during his post-game comments.

"I caught wind of it probably like a week ago," Irving said. "And it was bothering me, because it was the most honest thing that anyone had said about the way I was playing because I literally had to try to match a level that I had playing at last year, but also become better. So how do you do that? I had to really put an emphasis on my body and how I'm taking care of my mind. That was one of the realest things that I could have heard. As a competitor, if that does't irk you, itch inside you, of you wanting to be better, especially when a guy -- Tommy Heinsohn, you can't do any wrong in his eyes if you're a Celtic. You can't do any wrong. And I appreciate that. And it was the truth. I had to get in better shape and I had to become more dedicated to what I had been doing but more emphasis."


Irving -- who, for what it's worth, does not look overweight in the locker room -- said since he heard Heinsohn's comments, he has been working harder to get in shape.

"I was on the bike the next morning, Versa-climb, I was doing everything possible to make sure I could prepare my body for what's to come for the rest of the season," Irving said. "It's a long season, just wanted to get prepared. But I shouted him out because that was the truth, I needed it."



bob


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I think with last night's performance, it's pretty clear Kyrie is back in shape!

db

He did it! He coached it! He broadcast it! No, not just basketball but true greatness. Is Tommy a homer? Only in the finest sense.

Want to question Kyrie's commitment? Not in front of me please.. This guy is all in. Can things change? It's the only thing in this triple world sphere that's constant.

Last year it was a 16 game winning streak. This year the wins will be tallied at the end. It's "Talk to me in April" good! For all the work that was put in the summer I was a little surprised at how rough this start has been. I just can't believe how rusty those guys coming back from injury were. lol

Tommy put Kyrie on notice that he will be held accountable. Last night Kyrie dove for the ball. Kyrie was all in. But there is no way the Boston Celtics win 108 games this year!

The answer to how great Tommy is? You will find it in art galleries!

Kyrie's a keeper in my book. Class Act Extraordinaire. DA needs to do whatever it takes.

db