Kyrie Irving wants to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and it seems he is tired of being the second option on the team. There is no doubt that he's a great player who could possibly carry a team to the playoffs, and that is what he wants to do. Irving is tired of having LeBron James as an alpha player on the Cavaliers, and as long as he shares the court with him, it will not be Irving's team.
While Cavaliers fans are disappointed with Irving's trade request, a lot of them understand why the point guard wants to leave. However. a lot of people are surprised that he wants to leave because the Cavaliers are one of the best teams in the league and they are pretty much a lock for NBA Finals every year.
Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls legend, recently made an appearance on ESPN's The Jump and he talked about Kyrie Irving and trade speculations. Pippen took the point guard's side, saying he should control his own destiny.
Pippen's comments about Irving
Pippen said he's a very strong supporter of what Kyrie Irving is doing because he's followed his career and he's seen what happened to him in Cleveland. "I think he's at a superstar level now that he can control his own destiny," said the NBA legend.
"A lot of players in our game have that opportunity and they don't take advantage of it. I think it's the perfect timing," he added. He also commented about LeBron James and the rumors about him going to another team next summer.
"I see Kyrie looking at the opportunity to run before LeBron runs," commented Pippen.
LeBron can't guarantee that he will stay in Cleveland, and that is a big problem for the team.
Pippen and Irving
Scottie Pippen played 17 seasons in the NBA and he knows what it feels like to be a star in the league. Just like it is with Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, Pippen was overshadowed by Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan is considered the greatest player of all time by many NBA fans, and that's who Pippen had to share the floor with.
However, Scottie was the first option on the Bulls for almost two seasons when Jordan decided to retire. Pippen was actually really good and he almost carried Chicago to the conference finals. He was also one of top MVP candidates and everyone saw that Pippen, even though Jordan's sidekick, can play amazingly well as a team leader.
Considering that he has experience as both a sidekick and a team leader or the first option, he knows what it feels to be on both sides of that situation.
