Kevin Garnett: 'Kyrie Walks Around With The Kobe Spirit'

I have been a bit critical of Kyrie for some of his antics in the past, but there is nothing negative you can say about him this season. The 32-year-old has stayed out of any kind of trouble and played a key role in the Dallas Mavericks' surge in the second half of the season. 

As Garnett stated, Irving was shining on the court while fasting during Ramadan too. The eight-time All-Star averaged 26 points per game during the holy month and helped the Mavericks get the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a 50-32 record.

Kyrie followed that up by helping Dallas dispatch the Los Angeles Clippers and then the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs. He has averaged 21.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game this postseason and has been laser-focused on the task at hand, the way his idol Bryant used to be. 

Irving and the Mavericks now face their toughest challenge yet in these playoffs when they take on the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. We saw Kyrie take a bit of a backseat from a scoring standpoint against the Thunder, but I think the Mavericks will need him to be a bit more aggressive if they are to get past the Timberwolves.

Kyrie Irving Spoke On Kobe Bryant As A Man And A Player

Apart from members of his own family, Bryant was perhaps the individual who mattered the most to Irving. He has always spoken glowingly of him and Kyrie reflected on Kobe as a man and a player on the three-year anniversary of his crash.

"Kobe as a man was very inspirational, very loving, compassionate. Always had an open heart for those that want to follow his knowledge and wisdom. Always willing to pass on what he learned and I was just more than grateful we could have him as a mentor for as many years as I did. Shoutout to Vanessa and all the girls, they are strong so I have to be strong as well and we just want to carry his legacy forward. Him as a spirit is eternal. He's everywhere right now and Gigi's everywhere. So I'm grateful I got to learn from him as a man."

"Him as a player I could go on and on all day. Shout out to Bean Bryant. I love you more than life itself and I miss you a lot. Prayers up to you and Gigi."

That was beautifully said. Bryant had such a big impact on Irving and he is hoping to carry his legacy forward in the best possible way. I am sure Kobe would have been extremely proud of him had he been alive.