Kyrie Irving reveals his favorite Kobe story that transformed him as a player and a person: 'He didn't want to be looked up to as a hero'

Kyrie Irving has had one of the most rollercoaster and unpredictable NBA careers of recent years. His legacy has been a rollercoaster ride from the high of hitting the game-winning 3-pointer in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals to the struggles that followed in trade issues and playoff woes.

Yet, amid the peaks and valleys, the late Kobe Bryant stood as a guiding presence in Irving's life—a mentor who shaped his game and outlook on life.

Irving's Kobe story

Bryant's mentorship of younger players is legendary, and his bond with the 32-year-old exemplifies the depth of his influence. Kobe's teachings weren't limited to on-court tactics; they were lessons about resilience, mindset, and self-discovery.

For Kyrie, these lessons came at pivotal moments in his career, including a rejuvenated chapter with the Dallas Mavericks, where he nearly led the team to championship glory in the 2024 NBA Finals, rekindling the greatness that many thought had faded in the past few years.

"In 2016, he told me to really start isolating myself a little bit more to give a greater sense of who I am and how you have to approach every day," Irving said of Bryant. "That's the best Kobe story I can give; his approach to life, his approach to the game of basketball, was something that was transformative. It gave us a hero to look up to, but also, he didn't want to be looked up to as a hero; he always wanted to let you know you want to be better than me; don't try to strive where I am at; strive to go past, and if you can't go past, keep striving for your own goals."

The timing of this advice was crucial. Fresh off an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Irving was at the height of his career, yet the pressure to sustain his success loomed large.

Tackling the pressure

After leaving Cleveland, he endured a tumultuous stint with the Boston Celtics, where a season-ending injury, locker room discord, and unmet expectations defined his tenure—he couldn't recreate the playoff Magic he was known for.

Similarly, his time with the Brooklyn Nets, marred by controversies, the failure of the Big Three and injuries, tested his resilience. However, following the Hall of Famer's advice to keep striving for personal goals resonated deeply, enabling the guard to find clarity amid the chaos. The mentorship Kobe provided was rooted in authenticity—having been the media scapegoat himself for the majority of his career.

"The perception of him was so crazy, too; let's not forget that people were in the Kobe hate trend for a while; he wasn't the most favorite athlete. I know some of you guys have your favorite athletes here, and you'll go to bat for him, but Kobe was one of those ones that made it out of the fire; the media turned on him, and fans turned on him, and to be a Kobe fan when you are younger during those times, you really had to have those tough conversations," Irving said.

For the Dallas superstar, "The Black Mamba" wasn't just a basketball icon; he was a life coach who taught him to find strength in adversity. This was particularly evident in Dallas, where his leadership helped transform the Mavericks into contenders in the West, embodying the same tenacity that defined the career of the five-time NBA champion.

Bryant's legacy as a mentor looms large. From Jayson Tatum to Devin Booker, countless stars credit the Los Angeles Lakers legend for his wisdom and guidance. His impact shaped a generation of NBA players, whether through late-night text exchanges or grueling training sessions, urging them to pursue greatness on their terms.