Kyrie Irving has been critical of his teammates following a few embarrassing losses to inferior opponents. Irving has won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers and knows what it takes for a team to achieve that goal.

That is why Paul believes Irving’s criticism is justified because he sees it as a way to get the most out of Irving’s Boston teammates. Pierce believes the Celtics need a wake-up call, no matter how it comes from their leader.

“However he has to do it to wake them up, Kyrie understands what it takes to win a championship,” Pierce said. “He’s trying to show them that there’s an everyday process to this.”