Kobe to Kyrie
No More Second Options
Kyrie Irving’s present approach is much like his mentor, Kobe Bryant’s past, by leaving every promised success behind for a shot at potential. Irving’s next step-back jumper will not be in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform, as the championship guard was traded to the Boston Celtics per trade request for all-star guard Isaiah Thomas along with forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 unprotected first-round pick. Emulating Bryant’s desire, he is ready to make his own way, meaning no more Robin to former teammate, LeBron James’ Batman, but only Superman from here.
Just like Bryant during this time of his career, Irving, 25, is one of the best players in the NBA that has proven himself to be so countless times, winning worthy individual awards, a box-office talent, fan favorite, with the attitude to match. He is the epitome of the young, gifted, and confident as he tries to snatch the soul out of every opponent each night. In fact, during Irving’s 2016 NBA Finals performance, he averaged 27.1 ppg, nearly matching Bryant’s 2002 NBA Finals performance, in which he averaged 26.8 ppg, both coming out with championships.
“Every time we played since I was a rookie, I was just trying to earn his respect,” Irving said. “Guys that have come before me, I never forget their groundwork. Even guys that have come before Kobe, that allowed him to leave a legacy on this game that will last forever.”
Therefore, Irving’s desire to imitate Bryant’s mentality shouldn’t come as a surprise. Once upon a time, Bryant was in Irving’s same shoes, and no, not the new, Nike Kyrie 3 Mamba Mentality ones. In likeness to Irving’s James, it was Bryant’s Shaquille O’Neal, that he wanted to be ventured away from to prove he could carry his own team and legacy.
O’Neal was the most dominant player in the league averaging 29.7 ppg and 13.6 rpg on his way to his first and only NBA MVP award and first of three championships with Bryant. Bryant was never seen as a necessary equal in their success. O’Neal was also recognized each year as the NBA Finals MVP during that run too, albeit Bryant was the harder worker.
“Kobe is a scientific dawg,” O’Neal said. “He works out every day, practices every day. Most of the other stars are just dawgs, not scientific dawgs. Kobe will always have the edge because of his range and killer instinct. LeBron has the killer instinct, but he can’t shoot like Kobe can.”
The Irving, James debate could be argued differently though they’re relatively the same. Through social media, James’ workouts are much more publicized than Irving and he is in a worldwide conversation with a small pool of players about the greatest of all time, including Bryant. The difference is, Irving problem isn’t the work, it’s the recognition.
After O’Neal was traded, Bryant talents unfolded, winning two scoring titles and his own MVP award in 2008 because he took on the task of becoming great alone. Some say, it was because of that move that Bryant became the player he has be celebrated as today. He has one more ring than O’Neal, but the thought of what could have been still plays in the minds of many sports fans until this day.
Irving’s individual success is more priority to him than the team’s success because of his misconception of role. He understands if he doesn’t leave now, he may never become the player he wants to be. He understands it’s possible to be great while playing second fiddle, but that’s not his nature.
He wants the MVP awards, NBA Finals MVP awards, and the ultimate spotlight of everything that comes with it. Much like young Bryant at the time, there is no settling for safe.
Demarcus Fields is currently a senior at Morehouse College. He majors in English and minors in Journalism.
