All's fair in love & sports: The IT/Kyrie trade

KAS
Aug 24, 2017
3 min read

Jaws dropped around the nation on Tuesday as news broke of the Kyrie Irving/Isaiah Thomas trade - but my main takeaway from this situation is likely deeper than everyone else's.

Yes it was a surprise and still, in my opinion, a tossup on who really "won" this deal. The Celtics got a point guard with excellent game-closing skills, adding to their young and exciting roster; while the Cavs received established talents that are Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder, adding to their roster of dependable hustlers.

But that's neither here nor there. I'm focused on the willingness to make this trade in the first place.

Kyrie specifically asked the Cleveland Cavaliers for a trade, so it makes sense he was shaped up and shipped out. But Isaiah Thomas? Come on Boston Celtics, I.T.?!

Let's take it back to the first game in the first round of 2017 NBA Playoffs. You know, when I.T. scored 33 points in 38 minutes just one day after his sister's death in a car accident across the country? Yea, that game. He also waited until the series was won to return to Washington state and begin grieving with family.

I.T. is clearly a dedicated, resilient and talented player ready to give his all on any given evening in any given circumstances. He was the heart and soul of that Celtics team. That's the type of athlete he is. That's the type of man he is.

Either way, don't get me wrong - I understand how professional sports work. It's all a business and business deals must be made despite feelings and likability. But how can you expect athletes to dedicate their lives to one specific team if said team is willing to trade these loyal players - much less, a few short months after watching them prioritize your organization over personal tragedy.

It's tough to forget the image of Isaiah Thomas sitting broken on the Celtics bench during shoot around, just hours before Game 1 against the Chicago Bulls, sobbing over the death of his sister that took place only a day prior. He called these few days the hardest of his life yet still managed to perform in front of thousands.

For this dedication, the entire stadium erupted into supportive cheers as I.T. stepped on the court.

Fast-forward to now. The Celtics administration chose to give away Thomas, Crowder and some chump change to the Cavs in exchange for an obviously talented Irving... and somehow it's boiled down to Boston fans burning I.T.'s jersey. How quickly tables turn in only a few short months.

All this leaves me wondering how we can criticize people like Kevin Durant and LeBron James for leaving their organizations when it has been made abundantly clear these franchises aren't showing players any loyalty. Why is more expected of the athletes than the professional organizations? With this trade, the NBA has demonstrated they will hand-select you, build you up and expect your devotion in return - but when the price is right, they'll ship you out regardless of how much or how little of yourself you've dedicated to their name.

Give it your life or give it some half-assed effort, it really doesn't seem to matter much at the professional level. Is all fair in love and basketball? The Celtics sure seem to think so.

Side note: As for all you Celtics "fans" out there who elected to burn Thomas' jersey after the trade? Most people take personal time off work when grieving, while Isaiah Thomas returned to work the next day to help give you a series win with poise, dignity and grit in the midst of a family tragedy. Not to mention he a lost a tooth in the playoffs for you ungrateful people.

You don't deserve players like Isaiah Thomas. Shame on you.