By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Talking to the media, Dallas Mavericks‘ own Kyrie Irving commented on the idols he had growing up. The former Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets playmaker also talked about the conversations he had with Kobe Bryant in the first part of his career.
The former Cleveland Cavaliers point guard mentioned some of his idols growing up. “Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe, MJ, my uncle Rod [Strickland], J-Kidd, who’s my head coach now. It’s definitely a full-circle moment”, he said before touching on Kobe Bryant helping him throughout the first part of his career.
“With Kobe’s transition, unfortunately, I don’t have those conversations I would have to just kind of bring peace in mind. I’ve gained a lot more brothers and sisters who care about me and see me as not just a young player who tries to be great but just a human being making his priority straight. I feel really protected now”, he added.
So far in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season, the 31-year-old has been averaging 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game, helping Jason Kidd’s team get to the second place in the Western Conference with a 6-1 record.
Kyrie Irving talks about the players he studied growing up (including “Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe, MJ, my uncle Rod [Strickland], J-Kidd”).
He says he misses his conversations with mentor Kobe Bryant, but adds that he’s “gained a lot more brothers and sisters since then.” pic.twitter.com/5WuwiRRtiV
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) November 8, 2023
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images