Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 questions on Kyrie Irving's stunning trade demand

Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 questions on Kyrie Irving’s stunning trade demand

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is defended by Patrick McCaw #0 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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Should Whoever is Trading For Him Worry That he Wants to Run the Show?

This is tough.

The NBA right now, more than it ever has been, is a lead guard’s league. Take one look at the standings and it becomes crystal clear. If you have a ball handler that can shoot and get to the rim, you’re probably going to be a good team.

But selfishness and stat-chasing only gets you so far. Steph Curry, for all of his amazing individual talents, has led the Warriors to the best three-season stretch in NBA history as much because he makes the right play as because he makes the spectacular one.

Whatever version of hero-ball Kyrie envisions himself playing next year, he’s not going to do it better than Russ just did, and we all saw where that got the Thunder.

The list goes on. Michael and Kobe are the best examples. You need to take a step back to take two steps forward in the NBA.

Kyrie will likely find this out the hard way, but still, for most teams in the league, it’s a chance you have to take. His defensive issues are troubling, but the Warriors (and Cavs, for that matter) have shown you can hide just about anyone on D as long as they’re willing to try hard more often than not.

Still…there are very few players in the NBA that you give up the farm for (Anthony Davis, Danny Ainge is holding for you on the red courtesy phone), and Irving isn’t one of them.

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