Patrick Beverley: I requested trade from Rockets

Kyrie Irving requested a trade away from one of the NBA’s best teams and biggest stars (LeBron James).

What type of uncompetitive player does that?

Patrick Beverley – who was traded from the Rockets (who, led by James Harden, won even more games than the Cavaliers last season) to the Clippers – on The Woj Pod:

I asked for it. I asked for a bigger opportunity, a bigger chance to display my skills on a high level. And I was fortunate that the Rockets did really good with me and put me in a situation where I can thrive and be successful. They could have really dumped me anywhere, but they did right, and I respect them a lot for it.

It came a time in James’ career, when he went from sixth man to eventually being MVP,* that he wanted more. I’m not going to compare that to this. But it comes to a point in time, where I don’t want to live and regret saying what I could’ve, should’ve, would’ve done if I had the opportunity to at this age.

Nobody would ever accuse of Beverley being uncompetitive. In fact, he’s known as one of the league’s fiercest competitors.

It’s OK for him – and Irving – to balance that with their personal ambitions.

That can be tricky, as Irving might learn the hard way if Cleveland doesn’t find an acceptable trade offer before the season begins. Beverley was fortunate that Chris Paul wanted to go to Houston, was willing to opt in to facilitate a trade and left a hole at point guard in L.A.

Beverley always played off the ball-dominant Harden in Houston – to great effect. Is Beverley capable of more? It’s a small thing, but him winning the skills challenge in 2015 opened my eyes to the possibility. More power to him for wanting to find out.

*Harden, as Houstonians keep whining about, has never won MVP. He was honored by players as the top player in 2015, for whatever that is worth.