Thanks to Kyrie's commitment, the Celtics have focused on their quest for the title

BOSTON – Celtics All-Star playmaker Kyrie Irving reunited a small group of teammates on Wednesday afternoon and calmly dropped the bomb that would knock out the rest of the NBA on Thursday night. again with the Celtics next summer.

And, at this moment, a wave of relief invades both the Irving organization and the Celtics organization. Irving's uncertain future would no longer be threatened during the season; now the focus was simply on the aspirations of the team title.

"It was a very good surprise," said Friday at NBC Boston Sports Al Horford, one of the players at Irving, "just his commitment to the organization, and the feeling that we can forget all speculation "and focus on the season. It was very important for him to do something like this.

Neither Horford nor Gordon Hayward, sitting alongside Irving on Thursday night at the TD Garden Season Ticket Night where Irving announced his announcement, were certain whether Irving would publicly express this commitment. But Horford certainly enjoyed being part of the revelation.

After all, even Horford was curious to know what Irving was thinking of his future before telling his teammates.

"Personally, I would never go up to try to talk to him – in the end it's his decision and what he wants to do," Horford said. "But, yes, we heard the speculation and everything – it was really there and you wonder what was going to happen." I think he understands what we're building here and the potential that's going on. find here. "

Irving has started formally informing the Celtics' organization members of his desire to sign back here this week. Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Irving put him aside after the training session on Thursday afternoon to alert him of his decision. Management and property have also been informed.

Irving then told Celtics' media relations officers that he was planning to make a public statement on Thursday and that the team was preparing for the opportunity to announce it during a conversation with reporters prior to the event. Thursday night.

Instead, Irving waited until he was in front of the fans.

"The timing is everything and I'm happy to be able to share it with the Boston fans, everyone out there, I was just happy to do it for me," Irving said Friday at the training . "I just have the intention to sign in. Danny and I [Ainge] and the management did not talk about numbers, so do not ask me any questions. This is the case for everyone – we do not want any falsification or anything like that. On July 1, whatever the day, we will talk about contracts, etc. [But] I have every intention of signing with Boston. "

Irving will be able to sign a $ 189 million contract over five years next summer, after giving up the last season of his current deal.

Irving had discussed his future early in the summer while he was promoting his movie "Uncle Drew", but he hinted in recent weeks that he had been struck by his stay in Boston.

After spending last month in the region, playing informal 5-on-5 games with his team-mates and immersing himself in the Celtic Auerbach Center's new sparkling practice center, Irving has decided to verbally commit to a future.

"I think the important thing was just to be happy and to have an environment in which I am physically challenged but also mentally challenged," Irving said. "I can improve myself as a basketball player, as a man and grow up here.

"If I'm so lucky to do it, I'm dreaming of putting my number 11 in the stands someday, working on my tail, obviously many great players have come before me, but to wear my name I'm happy to be part of from the tradition and history of the Boston Celtics. "

The Celtics tradition has clearly attracted Irving.

"Amazing because it's a challenge in itself," said Irving. "I can sit here and say that I want to be one of those guys.Many of the great players in the history of the Celtics – that's a challenge in itself. 39, willingly accepts and I look forward to it.I look forward to where we meet.

"I thought it was the perfect time to inform everyone, and that I did intend to refer the application, and now I do not have to answer any questions anymore. such as "What are you looking for? It's time and me "I'm happy to have passed the course and to be with my teammates, now we can move on."

Rumors have spread to Irving.

"I'm happy here," said Irving. "Every day is a record, what more can you ask of an organization than to try and get me out of Cleveland?" "Really take a chance, no matter if I registered or not." They had the same attitude.

"They just wanted to show me what it's like to be Celtic and hope I would come back, and I did it absolutely – I can not wait to see the franchise and the players we have here."

Horford is happy not to be stuck with the latest gossip about Irving's future.

"Often, with the way the free agency has evolved in recent years, these guys are letting the drama build, the media and the hype, and that's all that's good for television and entertainment fans, "Horford said. "As if I were engaged to LeBron [James] when everyone said to himself, "Oh, he's going to the Lakers." You engage in that kind of thing.

"But when it's for your team, you do not want anything of that," Horford added with a laugh. "You do not want anything of that." Unless someone comes to you. It was good that we put it aside and we could focus on the season. "

Irving, who admitted he did not appreciate all the questions about his decision to leave Cleveland when he arrived in Boston last season, seems much more at peace now. He is able to focus on what matters to him.

And he is clearly focused on the very strong possibility of success with this Celtics team, not on the uncertainty of what could be the next step.

"You can not help but think about the future," said Irving, "We have guys here who are already special and who have the chance to improve." I can not wait to help them in their careers. to help me.They are great, they are committed here, were written here for a reason, and I wanted to be in the same vein as being with these guys and taking advantage of them.

"Honestly, thinking about doing it again was a crappy thought, honestly, dude, I do not want to move again, I do not want to uproot my family, I just have to deal with something new. 39 other organizations, but here is perfect for me. "

Irving knows this decision eliminates a potential cloud hovering over the Boston title.

"I know I've put a lot of guys at ease," said Irving. "Our management, our coaches, do not have to worry about recruiting me all season and telling me how great it is to be Celtic and to be here." I came to that myself, and asking the Celtics to get me back was the first question I just wanted to make sure that at that time it was easy to plan a new signature. "