Subscribe
Follow Us
DALLAS — Kyrie Irving is looked upon as a leader for the Dallas Mavericks. But even well-respected leaders have mentors. For Irving, the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was one of his mentors. Kyrie was asked about Bryant's impact on him on Monday with the 2024 NBA Finals right around the corner.
“I don't know if anyone in here has ever lost a mentor or lost someone that's a little bit older than them, meant something to them,” Irving said. “Even if you guys don't talk everyday, there was still that connection that they were always gonna be there for you. It wasn't just him (Bryant), it was his family as well. They supported me unconditionally. I miss him every single day alongside the rest of the world and all the Kobe supporters around the world.”
Bryant has impacted no shortage of people around the world regardless of whether or not they play basketball. He was a role model who many people looked up to. Bryant's legacy has led to further inspiration to this day.
Kyrie Irving clearly misses the NBA Hall of Famer. However, he is still using the lessons that Bryant taught him as the Mavericks prepare for the NBA Finals.
Kobe Bryant's “superpowers”
Irving further explained how Bryant left an impact both on and off the floor.
“He held such a big presence,” Irving continued. “He knew what his power was. He knew what his superpowers were. And they weren't on the court every time. They were his ability to approach life, how he inspired you to continue to do extra even when you got tired. I think his life lesson has transcended basketball or any sport or any entertainment business… That's what I felt like he was teaching me, to be able to carry the torch and also know how to pass it along.
“Obviously along that journey he's won a few championships that I'm still enamored with, still chasing to a certain degree. I do want to be able to sit at that table to say that I have multiple championships and I'm a multiple champion in the best league in the world.”
Kyrie Irving has plans on winning more championships. He's four victories away from becoming a multi-time champion. And there is no question that Kobe played a role in his NBA journey.
Kyrie Irving: “I feel his presence everyday”
The entire world misses Kobe Bryant. Bryant's fearless mindset made him well-respected around the league.
“He always reminds me to enjoy the journey,” Irving said. “The journey is the reward. Put it in perspective. There are billions of people who are gonna love you. There are billions of people that are not going to love you. I think you should make the right choice… and go with the people that support you through and through. Make them proud, make yourself proud. Everyday he walks with me in spirit. I feel his presence everyday. I'm just grateful that I got a chance to know somebody like that and I got a chance to challenge somebody like that to one-on-one… Just understanding that there are bigger things than just the game of basketball like woman empowerment.
“But also doing the little things that people don't see, meaning helping the world selflessly. I could go on and on about this, but he helped out a lot of people that no one really knows about. He did things without anyone's praise. I try to follow in that same lineage and create my own path, create my own formula to success while also commemorating his formula that he gave me.”
