Former NBA champion Ron Harper believes Kyrie Irving’s trade request is because of immaturity.
After news broke that Kyrie Irving wanted to be traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to a different team because he didn’t want to play with LeBron James anymore, a lot of people were upset and confused with his decision. Now, adding to that list is a five-time champion, Ron Harper.
Harper, who believes that Irving’s desire to be traded is rooted in “youth” and “ignorance,” doesn’t agree with Irving’s want to be the centerpiece of a team, as Irving should be playing for the organization and not himself.
"“It’s never your team. You play for the front of your jersey, your name is on the back of it,” he said. “When you get a chance to win and a chance to be on a good basketball team, you have to take that opportunity. That opportunity doesn’t come around all the time.“You’re on a team that’s been to the NBA Finals the last three seasons. How many guys get there? How many guys would kill to be him? If you go talk to most superstars that quote ‘had their own team’ that don’t get to the playoffs, ask them how they feel.”"
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Irving was the first-overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and this could be the reason why he wants to lead his own team rather than play second fiddle to James. However, he was never able to make it to the playoffs (let alone the NBA Finals) until James came back to the Cavs in the 2014-15 season.
With that said, is Harper’s assessment of the situation accurate? Maybe. Maybe not. But at the end of the day, it is Irving’s decision and he should do what he feels is best for him, even if it may not lead to him ever making the NBA Finals again.