Kobe Bryant was not only important to the Los Angeles Lakers, but to the entire NBA as a whole. His incredible ability to shoot the ball and his unrelenting determination for excellence influenced many of today's modern stars. Without him, Kyrie Irving wouldn't be the lethal offensive weapon he is today.

After the Brooklyn Nets' 125-115 win over the Detroit Pistons, Kyrie Irving went out and dedicated this game to the Black Mamba. He also talked about his personal connection to Kobe.

Per Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily:

“I asked him for help 4-5 years ago. I asked him for help and I don’t think I was ready to be a mentee at that point. Some ancient texts say when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. I had that type of mentorship, relationship, with him where I was able to ask him anything no matter how nervous or how fearful I was. He was just easy to approach with those type of questions about what goes on in day in and day out basis of chasing something bigger than yourself.”

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Irving then talked about the impact Bryant had on him and other active players who managed to play with and against him.

“When someone would ask him a question, ‘How do you do it Kobe? How do you do it? How are you so great? How do you do this?’ Some of the Young Mambas out there trying to emulate what he was doing. Some people would text him about ‘Hey what about this shooting slump?’ and he would say stuff like, ‘The best shot is the next shot. Figure it out. Fuck ‘em all.’ Simple things but it was what he helped you see inside yourself, always.”

Irving finished the game with 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. He was the closest to Kobe among the active players in the league and left before their game against the New York Knicks on the day of Kobe's death.