Celtics News: Kyrie Irving Apologizes for Handling of Media, Free-Agency Rumors

Kyrie Irving has made some negative headlines this season with his postgame reactions, but the Boston Celtics guard apologized for his recent outbursts toward the media.

"The way I've handled things, it hasn't been perfect," Irving said Saturday, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. "I've made a lot of mistakes that I take full responsibility for. I apologize. I haven't done it perfectly. I haven't said the right things all the time. I don't want to sit on a place like I'm on a pedestal from anybody. I'm a normal human being that makes mistakes."

Among other things, the 26-year-old has complained this year about the media manufacturing stories, especially about his pending free agency.

He notably complained after he was asked about a viral video of him talking to Kevin Durant.

"I don't have a private life when I'm out there in the NBA," he said, via Tom Westerholmof MassLive.com. "...Like, it's just crazy. This is the stuff that just doesn't make the league fun."

Irving also showed his irritation when he was followed by photographers going into the stadium.

"I'm not going to miss any of this s--- when I'm done playing," he said, via Westerholm.

He was also short with the media at times after losses:

However, it seems the guard is sorry for the way he handled things.

"For me, I think because of how fixated I was on trying to prove other people wrong, I got into a lot of habits that were bad, like reading stuff and reacting emotionally," Irving said. "That's just not who I am."

He has also seemingly noticed the criticism from former stars, notably Charles Barkley:

"I respect the ones that came before me," Irving said, "but they didn't endure social media, the 24/7 news cycle."

It's still a question as to whether this newfound attitude holds up as the season progresses, but it seems he at least acknowledges his past mistakes.