http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21941260/nba-playing-lebron-winning-nba-title-kyrie-irving-decided-move-question-whyTITLE:
Behind Kyrie Irving's controversial departure from Cleveland -- and what he hopes to find in BostonI won't post the entire article in quotes here (it's VERY LONG), but I recommend it. It's a great read and well put together by Jackie MacMullan, talking about Irving's path to the NBA, his time in Cleveland, his controversial departure from Cleveland this past August, his trade request, and what he hopes to accomplish here.
The MOST interesting part of this article is what was omitted from the whole "trade request saga", that Irving says Cleveland was trying to trade him even before he made the request, and he felt like he was going to be the "odd-man out" anyways (since it seemed there was no suitors for Kevin Love in trade talks). Lebron was asked about this apparently, and denied it, BUT ALSO got testy with reporters sort of before just walking out.
Some reports even say that in the off season, Irving was discussed in trade talks as well, for guys like Paul George and Eric Bledsoe.
I honestly could see this. If no one wanted Love in trades (poor Love), then their next option was an Irving trade (b/c it's not like they had a high draft pick coming in the future to deal in trades), and although they didn't deal him, Irving said "he felt it coming (a trade)".
I think ultimately, he left Cleveland because of this, AND because he believes it's very likely Lebron leaves this summer, in which case he doesn't want to be "left behind" with the mess in Cleveland, since lets be honest, most of the team is old right now and would go right back to a long-term rebuild once LBJ left. So Irving left before that could happen and is here now in Boston. He must have also felt a bit disrespected by the idea that the Cavs were putting him in legitimate trade talks.
Just thought I'd share. Great read, and hope we have a great game tonight!