There is also the money talk. Irving was not in any ALL NBA team, not awarded any Player of the Week/Month this season. But his jersey sale ranks No.8 (http://www.nba.com/2016/news/01/20/stephen-curry-lebron-james-kobe-bryant-top-nba-jersey-sales-list-2015-16/). Something more surprising. It is projected that his signature sneakers sale will rank No.4, after Curry, James, and Durant. (http://qz.com/631465/will-stephen-curry-sell-more-sneakers-than-lebron-james-this-year/)
If you were Cavaliers owner, do you think you will allow your coach to bench Irving, which would most probably affect the sale of his jersey and sneakers, and thus earn less money for you?