Kyrie Irving sets record straight on Kobe Bryant's legacy

Since the dawn of the internet, fans from around the world have debated where players sit in the pantheon of greatness. The offseason amplifies these discussions due to the lack of actual basketball taking place.

This summer, Kobe Bryant's status as one of the top 10 or top 15 players in the history of the league has been a significant focus of online discourse. What most people don't realize is that NBA players see these discussions, too. They have access to the internet. They also have more free time than most. 

So, of course, they're scrolling social media and seeing the "hot takes" and bad faith arguments built on personal agendas. In a recent live stream on Twitch, Kyrie Irving sought to put the Bryant discussions to bed. 

"I'm not letting people come on and talk about Kobe like Kobe wasn't one of the best," Irving said. "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...It's the internet. But when it comes to real respect and real recognizing real, this man, Kobe Bean Bryant, is immortalized. Not just because of his basketball. That's what I'm trying to tell y'all. This man, he is way bigger because of the character, because of what we witnessed him go through...Put respect. Put respect where it's due, y'all."