“Don’t Wanna Hear About Steph (Curry)”: “Hero” Kobe Bryant’s Endless Warriors Praise Once Drove 8x All-Star to Victory

Kobe Bryant’s ‘Mamba Mentality’ will never stop to mesmerize and inspire us. Bryant was more than a basketball player, he was an embodiment of relentless drive and a source of inspiration for generations. But the thing about Kobe was, he knew the price of greatness. Whether it be his teammates or his students, the Black Mamba was never easily impressed. 

His relationship with an 8x All-Star also speaks to this idea. Because when it came to encouraging his mentee, Kobe had the most unusual way.

Kobe Bryant’s brutal method to motivate the 2016 NBA Champion

When the Lakers legend met the former #1 pick, just the night before his final match against the Cleveland Cavaliers, he decided to put a competitive spark in him. As the former Cavs guard recalls, during the conversation, Kobe stated that he thinks the Golden State Warriors will win the championship title that year.

That was quite the opposite of what Kyrie Irving wanted to hear.

Irving was shocked to hear those words from his idol. Expressing his disbelief, the athlete once shared in an interview, “We’ re having dinner in 2016 and Kobe says, ‘I think Golden State is going to win the title this year’. Bro, can you imagine Kobe saying this? This is my hero.”  

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He couldn’t hold back anymore when the Black Mamba praised Warriors star Stephen Curry. To his statement, Irving clapped back, “We’re gonna win this s***. I don’t wanna hear about Steph right now bro.”

Nothing can probably explain Kobe’s Mamba Mentality more than this instance. But clearly, his tough love worked.

Kobe inspired Irving to beat Steph Curry in the 2016 Finals 

Bryant’s words seemed to push Irving to showcase his best to his idol and the world.

In his next game with the Cavaliers, Irving dropped 26 points and 9 assists to prove that he has his eyes set on the title. And who can forget his iconic, clutch 3 over Steph to put the nail in the coffin. Shocking the entire sports world, Irving and LeBron James won Cleveland’s first ever title that year.

The Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors 93-89 in Game 7 of the Finals to grab the city’s first win title since 1964. And it wouldn’t have been possible without a Black Mamba moment from Kyrie Irving.

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