The Decision -- Kyrie Irving Style

As everyone knows by now, Kyrie Irving stopped by ESPN studios to spend 40 minutes (40!) with the gang from First Take and participate in some Q&A. The interview was long on the Qs and short on the As, at least if the goal was something approaching meaningful As.

Instead, the goal of the interview was to create a “gotcha” moment, where Kyrie would confess the “real reason” for his departure from Cleveland. Was it his personal dislike for LeBron James? Was it his desire to get out of LeBron’s shadow? Was it to be the undisputed cornerstone of a franchise somewhere else? Was it because Kobe told him he must leave? For the hosts of First Take, it sure seemed obvious that Kyrie’s decision had nothing to do with winning or with his personal evolution as a basketball player.

If the interview wasn’t bad enough, ESPN spent the better part of the rest of the day dissecting it, analyzing and speculating about every syllable Kyrie had uttered. At one point, former Celtic Paul Pierce agreed that something personal must have happened between Irving and James because when the NBA Finals concluded, everyone in the world could see LeBron and Kyrie walking off the court together arm-in-arm, consoling each other after a crushing loss to a superior foe. Then, at the press conference following the loss, Kyrie repeated his pledge to remain joined at the hip with LeBron and do battle against the dreaded Warriors into the foreseeable future.

But then he changed his mind.

And, quite frankly, I don’t think the reason is quite as mysterious as everyone else makes it out to be. I return to the quote from Richard Jefferson:

I think Kyrie is a hyper-intelligent kid. Really, really smart. Doesn’t get enough credit for how smart he is. And I think seeing that the franchise is in flux, I think seeing Griff leave and the amount of coaches. I think Kyrie has had a much tougher time in this stretch of the organization than anyone really ever wanted to fully — He’s a No. 1 pick right after LeBron. Then he has three different coaches. Then LeBron comes back. Now, there’s trade rumors. Now, it’s LeBron leaving.

Changing coaches, changing GMs, and, of course, changing personnel. The speculation about LeBron’s departure began before the Finals concluded. The Cavs were no match for the Warriors, and it was thought that LeBron’s only choice was to leave Cleveland, and go form a super team somewhere else, most likely in Los Angeles with Paul George after the King’s contract expires in 2018. Because LeBron is LeBron, he need not consult with anyone before making his next “Decision,” including his own teammates.

Ah, but therein lies the rub.

LeBron’s teammates would never expect LeBron to allow them input into his next “Decision.” So why would a teammate who is thinking about leaving seek consultation with the King before making his own decision on his long-term future in Cleveland. First Take asked Kyrie if he talked with LeBron before making his trade demand. “No,” Irving responded, “why would I?”

Well, if that didn’t bring a smile to your face, nothing will.

What’s good for the goose is certainly good for the gander.

Ok, back to the reason Kyrie made his decision. Once the Warriors ran roughshod over the Cavs, it was a foregone conclusion that the 2017-18 NBA campaign would be a sideshow to LeBron’s next Decision. Five thousand media sources from around the world spending every waking moment hyper-focused on LeBron’s looming departure. Game after game, week after week, city after city. No way Kyrie was going to suffer through that if he didn’t have to, even if it meant leaving the best team in the East.

Distraction.

Circus.

Environment not conducive to basketball and crafting your art as a player.

Seriously.

What is so tough to figure out about that?

One might argue that Boston hasn’t been the picture of stability during the Brad Stevens Era. True, player turnover surpassed breakneck pace. But the Celtics have had one GM, one coach, and now have one core trio of players who will be together for at least two years. In the NBA, two years together is an eternity.

Circus or stability?

I think the choice was obvious.