Kemba Walker’s Huge Night Proves Celtics Are Better Off Without Kyrie Irving

Nov. 27, 2019 was supposed to mark Kyrie Irving's return to Boston to face his former team at TD Garden. Yet, a convenient shoulder injury prevented him from making the trip, much to the chagrin of Celtics fans looking to boo their former point guard in person.

That didn't matter, as the Celtics were treated to their new floor general Kemba Walker putting on a show against the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 39 points in their 121-110 win.

More importantly, the win and individual performance solidified that Walker is a better fit for the Celtics than Irving ever was.

As mentioned earlier, Walker dominated the Nets with 39 points on 54% clip from the field, while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out four assists.

This happened to be Walker's first game back since suffering a neck sprain this past Friday in a nasty collision with teammate Semi Ojeleye. That's what the Boston fan base loves, a gritty player that will do whatever it takes to play.

Irving, meanwhile, is nursing his shoulder injury to the tune of a seven-game absence, and he won't be back until the Nets road trip comes to an end.

Comparing the two and their respective recoveries from injury, it's not hard to predict who Beantown would rather back.

Ever since acquiring Irving back in 2017, the fit was never there, even though he stressed he wanted a trade off the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in order to lead a team on his own. Once he joined the team, Irving proved he doesn't have the leadership gene like James.

Between throwing teammates under the bus, constant injuries, hogging the ball, and not showing up in the playoffs, the Celtics were glad to see Irving chose to exit stage left.

Meanwhile, the Nets jumped at the opportunity to sign the emotional guard and dump off D'Angelo Russell who had a career year in Brooklyn.

This isn't a knock on the Nets' acquisition of Irving, as there's a real chance the young point guard thrives in Brooklyn, but it's clear who the better fit in Boston is, between he and Kemba.