NBA Throwback: When Kobe Bryant Made a Complete Mockery of Kyrie Irving’s Fancy Skills

Since his debut in 2011, Kyrie Irving has made a name among the skillful guards in the NBA. And he is never afraid to show off his skills. One such occasion among many was when he was playing Los Angeles Lakers in 2014. It was Kobe Bryant guarding Irving.

It was during one of the possessions when a young Kyrie, even with his fancy skills, could not get past the 16-year NBA veteran- Bryant. While Irving tried a few tricks, Bryant stood his ground in defence and eventually blocked Irving’s shot at the ring.

Kyrie Irving & Kobe Bryant had a great relationship

Kobe and Kyrie might not have any favours for each other on the court but they had maintained a good relationship off it. Irving openly expressed his grief when Bryant passed away earlier this year in a tragic flight crash.

“Our relationship was so much deeper than basketball,” Irving said after Bryant’s death.

Irving talked about his relationship with Bryant. He talked about how Bryant helped him as a mentor.

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear,” Irving said. “I had that mentorship relationship with him, where I was able to ask him almost anything. You know no matter how nervous I was or how fearful I was, he was just easy to approach with those type of questions about what goes on in the day-in and day-out basis of chasing something that’s bigger than yourself and when you’re trying to leave a legacy or something of a mark on a game.”

Irving had to play alongside a superstar in Cleveland Cavaliers in the form of LeBron James. He told that he sought out Bryant for advice for playing alongside a superstar.

The seeds he has planted in all of us continue to grow. His legacy will live on forever. The man was a philosopher, a teacher. He left so many things here for us to follow,” Irving said about Bryant’s legacy.