Exclusive: Co-owner Steve Pagliuca dishes on Kyrie Irving, challenge of moving on from Isaiah Thomas

ALLSTON — Celtics ownership was out in full force Wednesday morning to witness the topping off of the Red Auerbach Center, the Celtics new practice facility that will be opening up in Allston next year. BostonSportsJournal.com was on the scene and caught up with Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca in an exclusive interview to discuss the team's acquisition of Kyrie Irving, how the trade came together, the challenge of moving on from Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder, and whether there were any concerns about Irving behind the scenes after the way things ended in Cleveland.

Robb: You're a Duke guy and Kyrie Irving is coming in. How exciting is that for you?

Steve Pagliuca: It's very exciting. He's a great player. We lost a couple of great players as well. As Danny (Ainge) said, it was an emotional day for us yesterday because Isaiah is a great player and Crowder is a great player. We love those guys, but Kyrie is a very special athlete and a great person. I know him personally from Duke.

Robb: How long did this deal to take to come together? Did you guys have an interest immediately?

Pagliuca: I think Cleveland talked with all of the teams. It was definitely a process. At some point, we didn't know if it was going to happen or not. It kind of came together pretty quickly yesterday.

Robb: Isaiah and Jae were huge parts of your organization the last couple years. Isaiah did a lot for you guys on and off the floor...how tough was it personally to move on from him?

Pagliuca: It's the toughest part of sports because the Celtics are a family. We've become a family. I talk to Isaiah and Jae all the time, so it's kind of bittersweet for something like this to happen. Danny's job is to build a championship team and that's what we need here in Boston. We felt like it was the right thing to do, so we wish those guys the best of luck and I guess we will see them on opening night.

Robb: How crazy is it that you guys are facing off with the Cavs on opening night?

Pagliuca: It may be one of the highest rated opening nights in NBA history down in Cleveland, so that's going to be quite a zoo. I'll be down there for that.

Robb: From a team building standpoint, Kyrie is obviously a guy you are confident building around?

Pagliuca: Kyrie is 25 and a perennial All-Star. He's one of the best ballhandlers and shooters in the league, so you get a 25-year-old player who is a star, that's a great piece for the team.

Robb: You guys feel confident he'll be here for the long haul I imagine?

Pagliuca: He's a great fit for our system and he's a great individual. He has a fantastic family. His career at Duke was cut short by an injury, but in the few games he played, he showed great character. We're really excited to have him here.

Robb: The way things broke up in Cleveland with him asking out, was that of any concern for you guys or did your personal ties with him ease those fears?

Pagliuca: Kyrie is a great person. Coach K would tell you he's one of the most coach-able, outstanding people he's ever coached. I've talked to Coach K personally about that, so there were no concerns whatsoever.