Brad Stevens reacts to Kyrie Irving’s ‘subtle racism’ comment on Zolak & Bertrand

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May 26th, 2021 1:40 PM

Celtics head coach Brad Stevens spoke to 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand for his weekly interview on Wednesday, the day after the C’s lost to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 2 of their opening round playoff series.

As part of the conversation, Stevens was asked about Kyrie Irving’s postgame comments. The former Celtics, now-Nets guard said he’s hoping for “No belligerence or subtle racism and people yelling [expletive] from the crowd” when he returns to Boston with the Nets for Game 3 at TD Garden. Irving responded, in part, “It is what it is” when asked if he specifically experienced racism during his time in Boston.

Stevens acknowledged multiple incidents that the Celtics quickly dealt with. While he denied that Irving or any other Celtics player ever approached him about such accusations, he recognizes that they may have kept their issues private.

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  "I certainly take any comments like that very seriously," Stevens said. "I don't know what context [Irving] was discussing there. But I know that the Garden, I know that the Celtics, I know that the NBA, is very alert to making sure that our fans don't cross the line. I think that's really important. People shouldn't ever feel like they're being discriminated against. I think everybody is dialed into that.
  
  "That's happened maybe once or twice since I've been here, and it was dealt with immediately. But maybe it's happened and guys haven't talked about it. Certainly Kyrie has never mentioned anything to me about it, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen, and I think those things should always be taken very seriously."
  
  Stevens also said he feels "pretty good" about Jayson Tatum being able to play in Game 3 on Friday night, after the Celtics forward sustained an eye in jury during Game 2. Listen above for the full interview.

• NBA: Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets

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  Nov 19, 2018; Charlotte, NC: Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving talks with head coach Brad Stevens in the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. (Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports)

• NBA: Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics

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  Dec 19, 2018; Boston, MA: Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving talks with head coach Brad Stevens during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
• Kyrie Irving and Celtics head coach Brad Stevens

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  Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving and head coach Brad Stevens. -Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images

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Boston Celtics,Brad Stevens,Kyrie Irving,NBA