Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from season-ending Game 5 loss vs. Bucks

3. The Celtics should still re-sign Kyrie Irving

Much will, and should, be said about Kyrie Irving’s play during the second round of the playoffs. His efficiency was as bad as it has been at any point in his postseason career, and he responded with statements like “Who cares?”

After saying he wouldn’t shoot 8-for-22 again, he shot 7-for-22 in Game 4, and said that he didn’t care, and that he should have taken 30 shots. It wasn’t a great look for a guy whose team just got blown out of the playoffs. It’s also not a great look when weighed against everything he said during the regular season.

However, it shouldn’t mean that the Celtics should give up on their star point guard. In fact, they should still do everything in their power to make sure he remains in Boston.

General manager Danny Ainge has plans that require Irving’s presence on the team. The much rumored and publicized plan to trade for Anthony Davis wouldn’t make sense without Kyrie, and therefore should be seen as priority No. 2 behind re-signing Irving.

Boston should also avoid being burned out on Irving by a cold shooting stretch. A season ago, Damian Lillard went through a similar cold stretch in the playoffs, posting .352/.300/.882 shooting splits. This season, Lillard has seen a resurgence in his playoff performance.

The same should be expected of Irving who, despite his atrocious postseason, is coming off the best season of his career. If Kyrie wants to be in Boston, the Celtics should welcome him back with open arms.