The allusion to “subtle racism” among Boston fans made by Kyrie Irving has completely changed the narrative surrounding the Nets and Celtics’ playoff series. It could also influence other players around the NBA when it comes to their interest, or lack thereof, in playing for the C’s.

Danny Ainge acknowledges the possibility of Irving’s comments – which came along with Kevin Durant, who added “The whole world knows” – having influence around the league. But the Celtics President of Basketball Operations also noted that Irving doesn’t necessarily represent the feelings of everyone, particularly those who have played in Boston or worn a Celtics uniform before.

“I think that everybody’s influencing somebody,” Ainge told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher and Rich on Thursday. “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 it’s just one player.”

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  Former Celtic Kendrick Perkins spoke about his own experience playing in Boston for seven seasons on Wednesday. He said on both ESPN's "First Take" and Twitter that he's "never dealt with racism in Boston" during his time there. But, like Irving, Perkins is also just one person with his own individual experiences.
  
  Though it doesn't mean that nothing ever happened, Ainge denied hearing from Irving or any other of his own players directly about racist incidents, as head coach Brad Stevens did on Zolak & Bertrand on Wednesday.
  
  "I think that we take those kinds of things seriously," Ainge said. "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."
  
  Irving and the Nets take on the Celtics in Game 3 of their opening round playoff series on Friday night. Brooklyn holds a 2-0 series lead.

• Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets – Game Two

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  NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets goes to the basket as Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics defends during the second half of Game Two of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

• Brooklyn Nets v Boston Celtics

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  BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 27: A fan holds a sign with photos of Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden on November 27, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
• Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets – Game Two

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  NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics shoots as Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets defends during the first half of Game Two of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

• Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets – Game One

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  NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets takes a shot as Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics defends in the third quarter during Game One of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on May 22, 2021 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

• Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets

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  NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles as Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets defends during the first half at Barclays Center on April 23, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

MORE: Brad Stevens reacts to Kyrie Irving comments

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