JR
JR
Jul 23, 2017 · 2 min read

Kyrie Irving – The Problem with Robin

Forget the movies. Read the comics. Watch the animated series and movies. Robin was a gangsta. Smart. Observant. A true protege who learned and even grabbed the lead when the situation called for it. Robin was a study in sidekicks. But do you know who’ll never be content playing Robin?

Anyone who believes he is Batman…

That’s what makes the news that Kyrie Irving wants to be traded shocking – and then upon digestion – not surprising at all. He thinks he’s Batman. And maybe he is. I’ll let fans, journalists and experts argue that one out. I’m content to be fascinated by this whole thing. That even though he’s been to 3 straight NBA championships, won one of them (while hitting the most iconic shot of the series) and plays second fiddle only to the greatest basketball player in the last 20 years (and perhaps ever) he’s now demanding to be Batman.

And it makes sense.

David Griffin, the Cavs former GM came up through the ranks with the Phoenix Suns. According to Brian Windhorst, the year before Lebron came back to Cleveland, Griffin did everything but sew Kyrie a cape.

A black one. Not the yellow.

Griffin spent the majority of his time in Phoenix watching an offense built around a talented point guard that made it all go. He reportedly told Kyrie that’s what they would do for him. Nash was the guy in Phoenix. His talents included exceptional court vision and passing ability, so they built around that. Kyrie’s talents were cataloged and he was told they would build around those. And then?

“The Decision, Part II”. Lebron informs the world that he’s coming home and all of the aforementioned plans go up in smoke. All of it. You don’t build around Kyrie anymore, you build around Lebron. Hell, you let him make personnel decisions if necessary (so long Andrew Wiggins). And you get three straight finals appearances and Cleveland’s first NBA championship. And that’s great! And you’re happy with that!

Unless you’re not. Unless you were promised something different entirely. Unless you’re no longer chasing that elusive first championship ring. Unless your deal runs for 2 more years after Lebron (likely) leaves. Unless the guy who sold you that dream in the first place is fired by your unstable owner.

So you make new plans and you get out of town. And in the end, it’s all shocking and it all makes complete sense. Kyrie was missing his cape.

The black one. Not the yellow.

JR

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JR

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