After defeating the Heat, the Cavaliers embarked on a new winning streak.
Jokic played increasingly well, and reports about him grew more frequent.
However, during this time, the relationship between Irving and coach Malone became increasingly tense.
Irving always deliberately ignored Malone’s strategies during games.
This infuriated Malone.
But as the Cavaliers were in great form and on a winning streak, Malone didn’t make too much of it.
After all, stars have some tactical autonomy on the court.
However, Malone’s attitude made Irving even more reckless.
Finally, when the Cavaliers lost to the Raptors, Malone publicly criticized Irving after the game.
After Malone’s criticism, Irving left the locker room immediately.
Hansen initially wanted to talk to Irving, but Irving suddenly disappeared.
It was a sudden disappearance, and neither Hansen nor the team management could contact him.
This led the Cavaliers to wonder if Irving might have encountered an accident or been kidnapped, considering Cleveland’s history of a famous kidnapping case.
It was then that Irving proactively contacted Griffin.
That evening, Griffin found Hansen and relayed the content of Irving’s conversation with him.
"Are you saying Kyrie wants the team to trade him to the Celtics?"
Hansen showed a Nick Young-style puzzled face when he heard the news.
"He wants the team to trade him, preferably to Boston." Griffin corrected.
There’s indeed a difference, but that’s not the point. The point is why did Irving suddenly request a trade?
Was it just because Malone criticized him publicly?
Hansen didn’t understand.
Irving is an adult, not a three-year-old child.
Griffin shook his head.
Hansen picked up his phone to try to contact Irving, but Irving didn’t answer his call.
When Griffin called, however, Irving picked up.
The atmosphere in the room became awkward.
Hansen even had the urge to pick up and beat this kid, Irving.
But he held his tongue, typing on his phone and gestured for Griffin to ask the questions one by one.
"Is it because of Malone?"
"Is it because of Han?"
Both questions were denied by Irving.
Seeing no answers forthcoming, Hansen signaled Griffin to hand him the phone.
"You damn well come to my house now, or else don’t think about leaving."
Hansen was clearly upset. Dıscover more novels at 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝓷𝓮𝓽
On the other end, Irving evidently recognized Hansen’s voice, and after some silence, agreed.
After hanging up, Hansen told Griffin to go home first and then waited for Irving to arrive.
About half an hour later, Irving appeared in Hansen’s living room.
He dared not meet Hansen’s gaze, and after arriving, he sat down and hung his head.
"I need to know the reason."
Hansen wasn’t just angry because Irving didn’t answer his call. The Cavaliers were playing very well, having just won the Christmas game against the Warriors, and their chances to defend their title looked good. Yet Irving pulled this stunt.
Irving didn’t answer right away. Only when Hansen began to feel impatient did he lift his head:
"I want to see if I can be the leader of a team."
Hearing this response, Hansen was infuriated.
Green’s words from back then really got through to Irving!
"Before I came here, didn’t you give it a try?" Hansen retorted.
"At that time, I didn’t understand how to be a leader, but by being around you, I learned."
Hansen laughed in anger at Irving’s words.
How could Irving say something like that to his face?
"That’s also why I didn’t dare answer your phone. I know without you, I wouldn’t be who I am now. I didn’t know how to face you." Irving continued.
"You’re an idiot!" Hansen couldn’t help but curse.
Irving didn’t refute, he lowered his head again.
At this moment, Hansen recalled his experience with Irving outside the United Center.
Back then, he asked Irving what he thought when he saw Jordan’s statue, and Irving’s response was that he wanted to be like Jordan.
Irving has always been an ambitious player.
After experiencing the highest peaks as the second in command, he wanted to experience it again as the number one.
Green’s words merely brought forward a deeply buried thought in him.
"Do you think you can do it?" Hansen’s tone softened slightly.
"I don’t know, but I want to try, whether it’s success or failure, I can accept it." Irving said, lifting his head again.
He was now the epitome of "won’t turn back until hitting the south wall."
"You’re lying." But at that moment, Hansen suddenly said,
"If it’s really like you said, you wouldn’t want to go to Boston, because KD is already there."
Hansen’s words plunged Irving into silence again.
It was clear Hansen had exposed Irving’s lie.
"If you don’t tell the truth, I’ll tell David to put your trade on hold right now."
"Boss." As soon as Hansen finished that sentence, Irving looked up at Hansen seriously, addressing him differently,
"Do you think I’m not as good as Nikola?"
Irving’s question left Hansen stunned.
At the moment, Irving’s pure skill is stronger than Jokic’s.
But in the future, Irving wouldn’t even catch Jokic’s tail lights.
So Irving’s real motive isn’t wanting to be in charge, because he knows he doesn’t have that capability.
His thoughts stem from Malone’s significant focus on Jokic this season, the rise in tactical importance, and external reports.