Exasperation

This one fits with the pattern established in other years. Shank's first column this season about the Boston Celtics comes after they lose a bunch of games and their star player complaining about damn near everything:

Kyrie Irving is as exasperating as he is talented

“He’s never coached any player like me.”

— Kyrie Irving on Brad Stevens

Out for a cold morning jog a couple of days ago, I came across two neighbors on their daily walk, and they insisted I take a pause from my hideous daily mile.

“Please, answer one question,’’ said one of the walkers. “What’s up with Kyrie?’’

You're asking a guy who barely watches the Celtics?

We were just seconds into a discussion about the mercurial Celtics guard when another hearty soul, the guy who delivers the morning Globe in our hood, wheeled to a sudden stop, rolled down his window, and said, “Dan, are we gonna trade Kyrie?’’

Wonder if that opinion changed after the Celtics smoked Golden State last night? His opinion probably changes like Shank's - on a near daily basis.