Why LeBron James is the reason Kyrie Irving is frustrated

Everybody is asking Kyrie Irving: "Where will you be playing next year, Mr. Irving?" Rumors are spreading about a possible reunion with LeBron James, while Knicks fans are chanting "We Want Kyrie" because, well, they have nothing else to cheer for in The Garden these days. Whatever happens with Kyrie this offseason is neither here nor their. What many don't realize is that a choice by his old buddy, LeBron, almost a decade ago is the primary source of all his recent frustration.

Lets have some time-traveling fun.

Flashback to July 8th, 2010. You were just gifted a free iTunes gift card and cannot wait download the new Bruno Mars album to your new iPod Nano and listen to "Just the Way You Are" on repeat. Most importantly, James just announced he would be leaving his home state of Ohio and "taking [his] talents to South Beach."

The Decision...yeah. That was fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTeCc8jy7FI

Since that whole "Not one, not two, not three..." scene in Miami, the concept of players staying loyal to the teams who drafted them and signing long term deals has gone straight down the crapper. Kevin Durant joined the already dominant Warriors, Kawhi Leonard awkwardly laughed his way from San Antonio up to "The 6," Paul George wanted to go back home to Los Angeles (but then changed his mind and stayed in OKC), and most recently, Anthony Davis requested a trade from the Pelicans.

LeBron's decision to leave his own hometown for South Beach became a revolution; a revolution inspiring players to aim for what makes them happy as individuals as opposed to what makes their fans and organization happy. While the cliche "It's a business" became a go-to clarification for general managers, players are not turning around and spitting that same phrase right back to their organization as they leave in free agency.

"It's a Business" from the player's perspective became a new era of basketball.

Before July 8th, 2010, it was wrong for players to leave for another team; it was taboo. Now, fans and reporters are anticipating their departure dates. Shoot, our CBS Sports social team has had a photoshop edit of Anthony Davis in a Lakers, Celtics, and Knicks jersey saved since last season.

So, why is Kyrie Irving so bothered by all the questions surrounding his upcoming free agency?

The same players who are frustrated with all the rumors and questions are the same players who started the revolution of the "It's a Business Era."

In a recent interview with ESPN, Irving was asked if his mindset regarding his preseason commitment to re-signing with the Celtics had shifted. His response: "Ask me July 1st."

After hearing Knicks fans chanting "We Want Kyrie," in a Celtics win in February, Kyrie told reporters: "It's nothing but a distraction at this point. Like I said, I'm appreciative of the fan support I get in any arena. But of course, coming back home -- obviously, what's going on in terms of that noise and commentary, it's just a bunch of nonsense right now. So, can't do anything about it. I'm just accepting, I'm appreciative, but at the same time, I got a game to focus on."

What Irving and many other players aren't understanding is that they are the reason for all the questions and chanting and jersey swaps and social media buzz. The same players who are frustrated with all the rumors and questions are the same players who started the revolution of the "It's a Business Era."

When player's say, "I have to do what's best for me and my family," this provides fans and reporters reason to believe they are indecisive about their futures.

If Irving had never asked for a trade from Cleveland because he supposedly wanted a "bigger role," fans would not be pestering him with so many questions. Players have built a new reputation as being disloyal or as they like to call it "putting their personal interests and happiness first," and this includes Irving. Fans and reporters are anticipating a switch of teams because the recent history proves that is exactly what is going to happen. The media is simply doing their due diligence by asking him what everybody already knows is going to happen.

So, the next time Irving decides to smart off to reporters or fans about questions regarding his free agency decision, perhaps he should shoot his buddy King James a text, thanking him for starting the new era of "It's a Business."

The players have only themselves to blame.