Kyrie Irving studied Kobe Bryant’s footwork and fadeaways on YouTube growing up, adding the moves to his own repertoire. Irving also watched how the Lakers star demanded trades and seized control of his own NBA destiny. Then Irving put those moves into practice, too.
The Washington Post’s Tim Bontemps detailed how Irving reached out to Bryant for guidance when his future with the Cleveland Cavaliers was in jeopardy. Irving called Bryant after he was told he was going to be traded to the Phoenix Suns following last year’s NBA finals.
“He was one of the guys that I reached out to,” Irving said.