Kyrie Irving Was Introduced To NBA Legend Kobe Bryant Through Cleveland Cavaliers’ Former Coach

Certain people leave behind a legacy that cannot be matched by anyone in the coming generations. NBA star Kobe Bryant is one of them, as his untimely demise left a huge void in the world of basketball. He was not only a phenomenal athlete but also a kind and humble human being. Recently, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Former coach Phill Handy revealed how his selfish motive transformed into a deep-rooted bond between Kobe Bryant and Kyrie Irving.

Cavalier’s Ex-Coach Phill Handy On Kobe Bryant And Kyrie Irving’s Connection

During a recent appearance on the popular podcast P with Paul George revealed that Kyrie Irving had certain issues and he was the one who approached the NBA star Kobe Bryant to help him level up his game. Handy recalled-

“I was like, ‘Well Kobe, can I connect you guys? Can he call?’ He was like, “Man, give him my number. Tell him to call me anytime.’ And so, I passed it on to Kyrie, said, ‘Kyrie, I need you to reach out to Kobe. He wants to connect with you and build a relationship.’ And Kobe was just instrumental and just telling him like, ‘Young fella, here’s what you have to do. You got to work on your game, you got to pick your spots,'”




Handy pointed out that this is how the bond between Kobe Bryant and Irving gradually came into existence. He further mentioned-

“And that’s really when he started that rapport with Kobe, the floodgates just opened up. His mind changed, his approach changed and Kobe just really took him in right. They had created a great relationship, and I was forever grateful that Kobe was willing to take him under his wing,”

Not many people know that Kobe Bryant had a major influence on the Mavericks alum. Irving has spoken about the Lakers legend multiple times during his appearances on the podcasts and interviews and even admitted that not only his approach toward basketball but also his life was influenced by the late athlete.

Kyrie Irving Talks About His Friend And Mentor Kobe Bryant

Whenever it comes to talking about the NBA GOATs, Kyrie Irving has always spoken about his mentor and friend Kobe Bryant. The Mavericks star reflected on his relationship with Bryant during an interview back in 2023. He said-

“I don’t know if anyone here has ever lost a mentor or someone older who meant something to them,"

While talking about his connection with the Los Angeles Lakers star, He mentioned-

"Even if you didn’t talk every day, there was still that connection that they would always be there for you. It wasn’t just him; it was his family as well. They supported me unconditionally, and I miss him every single day, just like the rest of the world and all the Kobe supporters."


Irving shared how Bryant maintained his presence both on and off the basketball court. He said-

"He held such a big presence and knew his superpowers weren’t just on the court but in how he approached life. He inspired you to do extra even when you got tired. His life lessons transcended basketball, any sport, or the entertainment business.”

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant were headed toward her basketball match in California in 2020. The helicopter crashed due to bad weather conditions in Calabasas killing everyone on board. Even years after his unfortunate demise, Kobe Bryant is still remembered by the global basketball fraternity and his fans.