Pettiness brings results

My brother and I have this particular personality trait that sometimes gets us into trouble. I’ve talked before on how I got my “trolling” from my mother. Well a part of that comes the wonderful world of pettiness.

I remember one time on Facebook I saw a post from years ago involving two mutual friends that used to date. Well today, they aren’t. I can’t remember if I did it or my brother, but one of us went to that post and hit “like” just as a “friendly” reminder of the past.

Sure, it led to some awkwardness for some (laughter from us, though) but that’s what pettiness brings you.

Pettiness also brings you results, if done correctly.

This is part of the column where I dive into the sports world, except it’s merely speculation. Not a lot of facts, if at all. If this was for a website I owned, I’d have streamers shooting across the page with the warning “GASBAGGERY INCOMING!”

Carmelo Anthony is in an interesting spot with the New York Knicks as Kyrie Irving has reportedly requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Irving listed four spots as preferred destinations: San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and the New York Knicks.

Of the four, it seems the Knicks have the most assets to give up in a two-team deal. The Texan in me (that’s right, I’ve adopted Texas as my home, you can’t get rid of me without a fight now) wants to see the chaos that would ensue in the Spurs acquiring Irving with some sort of voodoo three or four-team trade to make the money work.

But let’s focus more on the Knicks. Anthony has a no-trade clause in his contract that he can waive whenever he likes. The stars seem to be aligning. He’s always wanted to play with his Banana Boat Brotherhood brethren, specifically LeBron James. Why not come up with a trade package that will send Irving to the Knicks and Anthony to the Cavs?

Except the way Anthony feels like he’s been treated in New York, why would he give them a chance to improve as a team? He also has two years left in his contract while LeBron has one. What if LeBron is whispering to his ear “hey, don’t come here. We’ll set up shop somewhere else. Maybe Houston?”

And that’s where the pettiness comes in. There might be a great deal for the Knicks on the table, assuming Anthony wants to be a team player. Except he’s been a team player for awhile and it’s gotten him just three playoff appearances in the seven years he’s been there. The Knicks haven’t had a winning season since their last playoff appearance in the 2012-13 season. Anthony owes nothing to the Knicks, so I’m all about the pettiness.

That brings us back to the Cavaliers and Irving. Irving doesn’t really have any power, especially because he’s under contract for the next three years, with the final year a player option. So how can he get what he want? By being petty.

You know the phrase, the squeaky wheel gets the grease? That remains true in this situation. Irving can make things difficult for management until they bow down and find a trade partner.

Irving probably won’t get sent over to the Knicks, but I feel like he’ll get traded. All thanks to the pettiness of Carmelo Anthony. And I’m here for it.