2017 has not been very kind to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After the year 2016 delivered the city of Cleveland its first major sports championship in 52 years, the soaring Cavaliers franchise has hit a patch of turbulence.
First, the Cavs got out-super-teamed by the Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. Next, owner Dan Gilbert chose not to re-sign GM David Griffin. The man who brought Cleveland’s ‘big three’ together was shown the door after his contract expired, reportedly over a money dispute.
The move could not have made LeBron James happy. In April, James openly lobbied for Griffin to be given a contract extension.
“It makes no sense why [Griffin] shouldn’t get an extension,” James told ESPN. “He’s pulled every move — he’s tried to make every move happen — to better this team to be able to compete for a championship.”
The Cavaliers pursued Chauncey Billups as a potential replacement for Griffin, a move that may have placated James. However, Gilbert reportedly offered Billups less money to run an NBA franchise than he earns serving as a basketball analyst for ESPN. The lowball offer forced “Mr. Big Shot” to pass on the position.
If that weren’t enough, Gilbert has caught much flack for what’s being called a “racially tone-deaf” advertisement for one of the billionaire’s other business ventures. Bedrock real estate firm posted a graphic on the windows of its ground floor with the tag line “See Detroit as we do.” The issue with the ad is that nearly everyone in the (very populated) image was white. The city of Detroit, however, is nearly 83 percent black.
The ad angered people of color in the Detroit area and probably didn’t sit too well with Gilbert’s star player. James has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of black Americans in recent years. He also recently was a victim of racist vandalism when the N-word was spray-painted on one of his homes. James may not have commented publicly on the Bedrock ad, but you’d better believe it was noticed.
Rumors had already began to run rampant that James would take his talents elsewhere next summer when his current contract expires. His relationship with Gilbert has been tenuous since the Cavs’ owner publicly slammed James when he left the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010. While everyone was gearing up for the reality soap opera to come next season, Kyrie Irving had other plans.
Tired of playing second fiddle and under James’ larger-than-life shadow, Irving met with the Cavs front office and requested a trade.
We are currently in an era where superstars are teaming up together for the chance to win a championship. Durant went to the Warriors. Chris Paul joined James Harden in Houston. Talented veterans like David West and Derrick Rose are signing for minimum contracts in order to contend for rings. Uncle Drew, however, is not here for the All-Star family reunions. He wants to be the man.
After all, Irving was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft. Just weeks before James announced he would return to Cleveland, Irving signed a 5-year, $94M contract extension. Without James, Irving had established himself as the go to guy. Once juggernaut James came along, Irving was relegated to the background.
When the Cavs won the championship in 2016, the accepted narrative was that it was because King James led the team to the promised land. When the Cavs lost to the Warriors in 2015 and 2017, it was because James “didn’t have enough help.”
After all, James has reached the NBA Finals in seven consecutive seasons with the Heat and Cavs. He is already considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He has a legitimate opportunity to be the GOAT when it’s all said and done.
Before James’ Cleveland homecoming, a then-21-year-old Irving led the Cavs to a paltry 33-49 record. So regardless of his scoring average, the shots per game, the eye-popping layups he converts or the rising number of clutch opportunities he converts, Irving will never have top-billing playing alongside No. 23.
The signs were always there that the adjustment was tough for Irving.
“I’m naturally an Alpha,” Irving told ESPN in 2016. “I know I am. I know I am. I have that type of personality but I also understood coming to this team, I couldn’t be all of what I envision myself being in terms of taking control.”
He’s not the first NBA star to want to escape the shadow of a teammate.
In 2000, Tracy McGrady left the Toronto Raptors for the Orlando Magic in order to become the top dog. In Toronto, he was Robin while his cousin Vince Carter played the role of Batman. McGrady flourished in Orlando and later in Houston and became one of the biggest stars of his era.
Speaking of Houston, the Rockets’ Harden was dealt away from Oklahoma City after he became frustrated being the third wheel behind Durant and Russell Westbrook. Harden is now one of the biggest superstars in the league.
Even Shaquille O’Neal left Orlando and Los Angeles partially because he did not want to share the spotlight with Penny Hardaway and Kobe Bryant.
Just like those players had enormous success, so will Irving.
At 25-years-old, Irving is likely just now entering the prime of his career. Irving averaged 25.2 points and 5.8 assists per game during the 2016-17 season with James on his team. He could potentially challenge Westbrook and Harden for the scoring title and emerge as a MVP candidate next season as the sole star on another team.
Since the trade request was made public, rumors have been flying around everywhere about potential deals. Irving’s preferred destinations are the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves. Without a coveted no-trade clause though, there’s no way he can force the Cavs to deal him to one of those teams.
It’s entirely possible that Cavs could refuse to trade the star point guard. It’s likely the team will find a suitor and make a deal sooner than later. Teams across the league know that Irving’s potential is through the roof. If he remains in Cleveland, the potential for a nuclear meltdown between him and James is even more likely. The two stars already shared a few side eyes and arguments on the sidelines last season.
Kyrie wants to be king.
There’s only one crown in Cleveland (for now). Just like in HBO’s Game of Thrones, nobody has any idea how this fight will play out. What we do know is that it will add another compelling storyline and main character to the upcoming NBA season. Wherever Kyrie lands, he’ll be on a mission to prove he really is an Alpha dog.
Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @IshmaelSistrunk
