Appearances can be deceiving, but, according to those on and around the Celtics, in this case they are not. Kyrie Irving has been a more engaged and positive teammate of late, and that could be one of the best possible developments as the club begins its playoff journey.

His game is beyond reproach, and if, as the Celts cross their fingers and hope, this is the type of leadership he’s going to provide during this run, all advancement options could be on the table… and more within reach.

Irving admitted this week that he could have handled things better this year. He didn’t get specific, but others in the dressing room weren’t pleased with him publicly calling out younger players, failing to defuse national media rumors (“Ask me July 1st”) or detaching himself at times. Kyrie seemed to cop to the issues, offering apologies in some cases and following through with actions. It’s as if he’s come to recognize his power and aim it in the right direction.

Said one opposing coach, “If he’s going to play like he does and be the right kind of leader, then Boston just might be that scary team everybody thought they were going to be before the season.”

Irving’s teammates don’t like discussing it, lest things change. But they’re in Kyrie’s corner, for they know how good things can be with optimal Irving. Terry Rozier even said it out loud.

“Ky’s our leader and when he’s in a great mood and he’s feeling good, we’re hard to beat and it’s contagious,” he told NBC Sports Boston. “It rubs off on everybody else. Sometimes when he’s not like that, it can get everybody uptight.”

Which is another way of saying that if Kyrie Irving augments his elite game by helping to create an atmosphere that places the team first, the Celtics might actually get out of their own way and hang around this postseason a long while.

The only evidence in this regard that matters can begin to be collected at 1 p.m. Sunday when they and the Pacers take the court for Game 1. But those at the practice facility have noticed nice changes even as he walks onto the Auerbach Center floor and delivers smiles and bro hugs.

“In my conversations with Kyrie, I wouldn’t say there’s been that much different,” said Danny Ainge. “Maybe in how he’s dealt with you guys and maybe on the court and things, but he’s had some ups and downs.”

Told that the “on the court things” do seem improved and that his teammates only care about how he deals with media to the extent that it affects them, Ainge paused.

“Things have not always gone the way he’s wanted them to go, and he’s tried and fought through some adversity just trying to find his way, find his role in the team,” the president of basketball operations said. “But I think that he’s in a good place.

“I think that, like our whole has been through some challenges, it’s the same for Kyrie. Each individual guy has been through some different challenges where things aren’t exactly what they want and aren’t perfect. But at this time of the year, you have figured them out and you know where you stand on the team, and you make a choice. And the choice is I’m going to make the most of it and enjoy it and appreciate it, be grateful and be a positive influence on everybody — or I’m going to be frustrated and angry. And I think that all of our guys have accepted where they are, and that’s the beauty of the playoffs. It’s a reset.

“And I think Kyrie the same way. He went through a frustrating part of this year for lots of different reasons, and I think that he’s in a phase right now where he’s looking forward to this opportunity that he has in front of him.”

The elephant of what Irving will choose to do this offseason when he can (and will) become a free isn’t yet in the room. But it’s lurking in the hallway. However, if the Celtics can avoid thinking about the mounting pile of peanut shells and focus on the potential rewards at hand, Ainge could be correct in his belief/hope.

That is, of course, all subject to change. The weather could change based on what transpires in Game 1. But the Celtics want to live in the present, too, and be happy with the more outgoing Irving.

“He was like that all year last year, and he was at the beginning of this year,” said Ainge. “I mean, I think there was just a stage of the season where he was not, and that’s like OK. These guys are human beings, and there’s frustrations and emotions and ups and downs. That’s the hard part of coaching is you’re dealing with lots of different people and lots of different emotions. But I’m happy with where we are right now today.”

He and the Celtics and those who predicted great things for this team will be even happier if they can feel that way all spring.