Kyrie blasts Celtics fans' chants: 'One big show that means very, very little'

Kyrie Irving didn't take kindly to angry chants from Boston Celtics fans on Wednesday night.

In a lengthy written response posted on his Instagram story, Irving, who missed his return to Boston due to a right shoulder injury, appeared to scold Celtics fans for chanting "Kyrie sucks" during Boston's 121-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

It happens all the time and tonight just shows how sports/entertainment will always be ignorant and obtrusive. It's one big show that means very, very little in the real world that most people live in because there are actually things that matter going on within it. Like figuring out a life that means more to you than a damn ball going into a hoop, or learning how to grow up being in a fish bowl of a society based on your popularity level as a person, or even dealing with becoming the leader of your family after someone's passing and not knowing how to deal with life after it happens. (But), this game of sports entertainment matters more than someone's mental health and well being, right? Or the real life things that happen to people everyday but they still have to perform for the NBA and its fans? Right? It's all about doing it for the fans and organization that love you so much? Think again, it's a game, and it's promoted as a fandom experience for ticket buyers and viewers at home, while defacing who people truly are as people. Then spat out all over these media networks as valuable food for thought while they actually believe that their opinions hold weight to real cultural leaders that speak and act for change. One big gimmick with some smoke and mirrors! I'll always be the one that takes the stand and speaks on the truth every time though. A purposeful and spiritually led life will always be bigger and more meaningful than any sports arena or any entertainment space. This game isn't meant to be controlled and shown as a drama, it's meant to show the love. Love for the art is the only damn thing that keeps the purist people in this giant sports/entertainment circus. Don't fall for the game that's played in front of you as entertainment, it'll never be as serious dealing with life.

Celtics fans had long awaited Wednesday's game, which would have marked Irving's first appearance in Boston since he left as a free agent and signed a four-year, $141-million contract with the Nets. His departure irked many in Boston, as Irving had said prior to the 2018-19 season he planned to re-sign with the Celtics before adamantly walking back that verbal commitment in February.

Wednesday's chants weren't Celtics fans' only show of disdain for their former point guard. Fliers were also posted outside TD Garden depicting Irving's face with the word "Coward" stamped over it.

Boston's players, meanwhile, didn't share their fans' resentment for Irving. Swingman Jaylen Brown, who played alongside Irving during his two seasons in Boston, believes fans shouldn't be harboring any hard feelings toward the 27-year-old.

"I think everything worked out for the better for everybody, so I don't think anybody in Boston should have anything to complain or boo about," Brown said postgame, according to Boston.com.

The Nets and Celtics will square off again Friday in Brooklyn. Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson couldn't confirm if Irving will return for that contest.

"We'll see. You know, we'll update. Not going to give a timetable," he told the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett.

If Irving isn't cleared to play Friday, he'll have one more opportunity to face his former team this season when the Nets return to Boston on March 21.