Kyrie leery of Bucks' MECCA court: 'I'm all about safety'

With fans of vintage basketball aesthetics oohing and aahing over the throwback "MECCA" court the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics are set to do battle on Thursday night, it appears at least one of the combatants is decidedly less enthused.

"I'm all about safety, so we'll see how it is on my knees, see how it is on everyone's bodies," Celtics star Kyrie Irving told reporters Thursday. "I know that it's a pretty older court. Looks like it's freshly painted as well. I'm just going to do my assessment and go from there."

While the MECCA, now known as the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, was the Bucks' home from 1968-88, the actual court being used Thursday is a reproduction of the arena's old, iconic court design, as someone off camera reminds Irving in the above clip.

Irving deserves some credit for his concerns, however. There's a reason the original MECCA court isn't being used for NBA action.

Have no fear, Kyrie: the replica MECCA court has been brought up to the standards of today's modern playing surfaces, paint and all, including the addition of a "cushioned subfloor for greater safety and durability," according to the Bucks.