I just read an article by Isaiah Thomas entitled “This Is For Boston”. It was the heartfelt outpouring of emotions from a little guy who has always fought against the odds, persevered by his will and skill, and thought he’d found a home with the Celtics. It broke his heart to find himself traded, again, and it broke mine reading his account of when it happened and what the experience was like for him.

Anyone who hasn’t read that article should. It gives a very human account for the disruption in one’s life brought about by sudden, unanticipated change. Most people aren’t in the N.B.A. But still most people know the trauma of the plant closing, or reducing staff, or being fired or laid off. There’s the stark realization, the uncertainty, the cognitive dissonance. And then, there’s the acceptance: then the objective analysis. I.T. walks us through those processes in his recognition that the Celtics had let him go. Whether or not one feels that the business decision to go with Kyrie Irving makes sense, one has to sympathize if not empathize with I.T. If you saw him compete for the Celtics, its much easier to do.

But business is business. I remember Ray Allen, part of the Big 3 with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, and how he was treated when Rajon Rondo disrespected him, and Avery Bradley pushed him for his position on the team. I recall the constant trade talk involving him. I also recall the reaction when Ray left for Miami. There was much animus toward Ray Allen, especially because he left and joined the dreaded rivals, led by Lebron James. Pierce and Garnett treated him like the reincarnation of Benedict Arnold, traitor. But Ray made an assessment, and took the opportunity he felt best for he and his family. It worked out for Ray Allen. He won another championship in Miami, and was an integral part of that championship run. He walked into a back-up role, accepted it, and excelled in it. One of my favorite photos is of Paul Pierce walking behind Ray Allen, complaining about a foul call, as Ray strode confidently to his team’s huddle.

Business is business. The Celtics have sent I.T. packing, just as they did Amir Johnson, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Kelly Olynyk, and anyone else who didn’t fit the needs in their business plan. When that happens, you think about Lebron having left Cleveland. You think about D. Wade having left Miami. You think about Kevin Durant having left OKC, and for the dreaded Warriors no less! It is less offensive when you think about it. Its business.

I’m a Cleveland fan: a Lebron fan. I wasn’t pleased to see Kyrie leaving, and still don’t agree with his decision to do so. But I respect Kyrie’s business decision to seek the optimal business opportunity for his personal brand. I have also gained insight into the man for whom he was traded. I have mad respect for I.T. now, and look forward to the time when he is rehabilitated, and in the rotation for Cleveland.

What do I want to see? I want to see a trade, Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye, and the Net pick from Boston all to the New Orleans Pelicans for Boogie Cousins. I want D. Wade to get a buy out from Chicago, and sign with the Cavs. And I want to see I.T. putting his heart and soul on the line for the Cavs just as he did for the Celtics. Think about that lineup. At the point Isaiah Thomas/D. Rose. At shooting guard D. Wade/J.R. Smith. At center Boogie Cousins/Tristan Thomas. At power forward Kevin Love/Jae Crowder. At small forward Lebron James/Kyle Korver. By the way, you still have Jeff Green, Cedi Osman, Jose Calderon, Richard Jefferson, Ante Zicic, and Kay Felder on the outside of that rotation, looking in. If the Golden State Warriors can handle that, they truly are a super team. Personally, I won’t bet against all that talent, nor against the will and skill of Isaiah Thomas.