Despite the doubts of many experts, Kyrie Irving has maintained a highly successful career in the NBA. Over the course of his 14-year professional journey, he has played 779 games and averaged 23.7 points per game. Furthermore, he has earned nine All-Star selections and secured one championship. Behind his remarkable career, the Dallas Mavericks star has revealed a source of inspiration from a league legend. To the surprise of many, that legend is not Michael Jordan.
“They have, in their own ways, inspired me to continue to work on my craft at a high level… Obviously Kobe (Bryant) is No. 1 for me on that board of being inspired, but Bron, KD, J-Kidd, Vince Carter, Tim Duncan, Reggie Miller, Hakeem Olajuwon — just guys that I could think of off the top of my head,” Kyrie Irving confessed on his Twitch channel.
Throughout his illustrious career, the Dallas Mavericks star has consistently expressed his admiration for Kobe Bryant. He has even named the Lakers legend as his favorite player in any basketball debate. He has spoken candidly about their close friendship, sharing that Kobe taught him a crucial lesson: not to let basketball define his entire identity. This reveals the profound impact the “Mamba” mentality has had on Kyrie’s professional journey.
Kobe Bryant cemented his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Over an impressive 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, he captured five championships, two Finals MVP awards, and a regular season MVP award. In his 1,346 games, he averaged an impressive 25 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Yet, despite this staggering legacy, he is often absent from discussions at the pinnacle of the GOAT debate.
Kyrie Irving makes strong statement on Kobe Bryant’s place in the GOAT debate
As the NBA seasons unfold, the GOAT debate consistently spotlights Michael Jordan and LeBron James as frontrunners. While definitive consensus remains elusive, icons like Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar often dominate other positional discussions. Consequently, some experts and media outlets place Kobe Bryant outside their top 10. In response, Kyrie Irving recently broke his silence to weigh in on the matter.
“I’m not letting people come on and talk about Kobe like Kobe wasn’t one of the best that not only played, but that came in as a 17-year-old against grown men. And by the time this man was 22 years old, he had a few championships and he was busting the best of the best… If y’all don’t knock that off. I’m talking to y’all at home, the media talking heads, the ones that casually, casually throw names around,” Kyrie Irving said on his Twitch channel.
While many may not consider him the greatest of all time, a broad consensus places him within the top three, or very close to it. His legacy transcends mere statistics, impacting culture and overwhelming opponents with his prowess. Even Dwyane Wade notably ranks him third in his personal debate. Consequently, his exclusion from such lists has stirred discontent among many players and former players alike.