Kyrie - What You Thinkin'?.....

Following is a brief summary of Kyrie Irvings basketball career. After an injury limited his college career at Duke University to 11 total games, he left for the NBA. He was the first pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has played 6 seasons for the Cavaliers, so far earning $55 million. Additionally, it is estimated he makes about $12 million per year on endorsements.

The Shot: Kyrie sealed the 2016 Championship.

His first three seasons with the Cavs were rather unsuccessful, as the Cavs did not make the playoffs. However, the last three seasons the Cavs made it to the NBA Finals, winning the NBA Championship in historical fashion in 2016. By the way, the last three seasons he has played with Lebron James, the greatest player of his generation.

Kyrie is under contract to play for the Cavaliers for an additional two seasons. Last week it was revealed that Kyrie has requested a trade from the Cavaliers. He also has listed a few teams he would like to be traded to.

The stunning part of all of this are the reasons given. It is stated that he no longer wants Lebron James as a teammate. He would like to go to a team where he can be the focal point. You can read that over again if you like. I know it sounds pretty strange.

The cynic in me would say he wants to be the focal point because he is a very poor passer for a point guard. His game is made for video games. Great ball- handling, very good shooting, and fantastic at finishing. But being on a team that consistently reaches the Finals, and winning a championship is not enough.

After hearing his reasons for wanting to leave, you can come to two conclusions. One - that this is his true feelings and he wants out. Two - that this is just B.S., and there is another true reason.

Kyrie would always be Lebron's sidekick.

If this is his true feelings, he has to be one of the most selfish and ego-driven players in a league full of selfish and ego driven players. I'm sure playing with Lebron sometimes cannot be easy. He is demanding. He is not afraid to point out a teammates mistakes. Not in print, but on the court. Kyrie would always play second banana to Lebron. He would be Robin to Lebron's Batman.

But basketball is a team game. You play your best to win the game.The great players make their teammates better than they would be on their own.  You win enough games and you win the ultimate championship. Lebron has played in 8 NBA Finals, winning 3 Championships. Kyrie's statements go against being a good teammate and being driven for a championship. So what drives him?

Maybe there is an unstated reason for his desire to leave. Maybe he wants a new challenge.  Maybe he feels he deserves more credit. Maybe he wants to live in a different place. When Lebron left, he went to Miami, Florida after living his entire life in northeast Ohio. Can't blame him for that.

But Lebron also left because he felt frustrated because the Cavs at that time were not ready to make that final jump. He formed the original "Big 3" in Miami with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. They made it to four Finals, winning two. He learned how to win, and what it took. He then came back home. He came back for a different challenge, and for family. He brought Cleveland that Championship. With Kyrie.

Uncle Drew & Kyrie - What do they need?

There is another possibility. I hate to mention it because it really makes me sound like a grumpy old man. But maybe it's a generational thing. Back in the day, players like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson hated each other on the court. The ultimate goal was winning a championship. Money always finds its way to the stars. But you can't buy a championship. Players like Karl Malone, John Stockton, Allen Iverson, Dominique Wilkins, Charles Barkley, and Elgin Baylor never won a NBA Championship. Not One. Ask them today what they would've given for a ring. But today, it might be about endorsements, ego, or "street cred". I don't really know.

But a Championship may not be what Kyrie wants ultimately. Maybe he wants the same thing as Aretha Franklin - R-E-S-P-E-C-T. But he is losing a lot of it before he will get any back.