This weekend’s showdown between the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics was marred by a series of controversial incidents.
Bad blood had been bubbling between Celtics fans and Kyrie Irving ever since the latter’s abrupt departure from the team a couple of years ago. The ill will culminated in some angry comments from Irving in the lead-up to Game 3.
Tensions finally reached a boiling point after Game 4, however, when a disgruntled fan threw a bottle at Irving as he was exiting the court.
The fan in question was promptly arrested and charged.
After the fact, many within Celtics Nation pointed to a particularly disrespectful act by Irving that they insist led to the eventual bottle-throwing incident.
Thus far, their rationale has yet to pick up steam.
As a result, some have taken a new approach – calling for Irving’s arrest.
In a Change.org petition, Celtics fans are demanding that Irving be brought to justice for an incident that occurred in 2018.
“A Celtics fan was recently arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for throwing a water bottle at Kyrie Irving,” the petition notes.
“[On] November 6, 2018 an annoyed Kyrie Irving threw a basketball into the stands after losing to the Denver Nuggets. If 21-year-old Cole Buckley was arrested after allegedly throwing a water bottle, Kyrie Irving should be too.”
As of Monday morning, the petition is at nearly 71% of its signatures goal.
Will Irving ultimately be prosecuted for his actions? Probably not.
For what it’s worth, Celtics star Jayson Tatum had a fascinating take on Irving’s back-and-forth with his team’s fan base.
Based on everything that has happened up to this point, it’s unlikely that Irving and Celtics Nation will ever be able to mend their relationship.
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