Try to imagine Kyrie Irving in a jersey other than
a Cavalier jersey. Go ahead, just try. Yeah, I couldn't either
Kyrie Irving sent shockwaves throughout the NBA when news broke that he
had requested a trade. His preferred destinations were the Spurs, Timberwolves,
Knicks, Heat, or the Suns. Sources say that he is tired of being the ‘son’ to
LeBron James and that he wanted to be the main option on his own team. Many
people are upset that he’s leaving, but I’m actually happy for him.
Which career would you rather have: The 2nd best player on
your team and go to the Finals every year, maybe even winning one (unless your
Finals opponent is the Warriors), or leading a team on your own to the
playoffs, having the organization build around you, while inching your way to
the Finals? Yes, the second one will take longer, but wouldn’t it feel a lot
better than being the sidekick, knowing you earned a ring yourself?
Think about this: You’re with your friends at a park and they start to
play basketball. Your friend promises to pick you up for his team. Then, a
massive man on steroids comes in to play with you and your friends. Your friend
then chooses the man on steroids for his team. That’s how it went down for
Kyrie and the Cavaliers. In 2014, Kyrie signed a 5 year deal, along with the
Cavaliers assuring him that he will be their focal point. Then LeBron James
announces he’s “coming home” and then all of the sudden, Kyrie’s ideal world
takes a long, three and a half year hiatus. Irving was told he would be the
leader of the team, and then brings in the best player in the NBA? Now put
yourself back in the playground basketball game. Would you get along with the
man your friend picked instead of you, even though he wins you games? More than
likely not. Dan Gilbert screwed over Kyrie in a way, but at the same time, he
did him a favor too. Kyrie wasn’t winning games without LeBron James. Irving’s
team never won more than 33 games since he was drafted in 2011. Then LeBron
made “The Decision” for the second time and threw the thought of Kyrie being
the number one option directly out of the window. But at the same time, LeBron
brought Cleveland a ring, and he probably wouldn’t have done it without Kyrie.
Kyrie Irving is maturing before our eyes. He’s ready to take up the
challenge of being the ‘man’ on his own team. He has handled this whole
situation very well. He didn’t go out and bash the organization. He asked to be
traded, gave them his wish list of destinations, and didn’t say anything else.
He cut off all contact with the Cavaliers roster and management, which means he
can’t tell a teammate something, then said teammate tells someone close to them,
who in return tells the media. You can’t hate a man who wants to take his own
journey in life.
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