Hoops Habit
Fansided

8 NBA players who will remind you of Kobe Bryant this season

By Amaar Burton

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers share a laugh during their game at Staples Center on January 13, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers share a laugh during their game at Staples Center on January 13, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

5. Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets)

When Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017, rumors flew fast and furious that Irving was sick of being the “little bro” to LeBron James and resented his superstar teammate.

More accurately, by more recent accounts, Irving just wanted an opportunity to prove himself as the No. 1 option and headliner of a team. And it went without saying that Irving wouldn’t get that opportunity in Cleveland unless LeBron left, or until LeBron started to decline.

The situation mirrored what happened between Kobe and Shaq in L.A.

It wasn’t that Kobe hated Shaq or vice versa, despite what many media members and fans wanted to believe. Rather, it was that Kobe wanted to show what he could do with his own team to lead.

Kobe became a mentor to Irving during Kobe’s later years in the league. Irving trained with Kobe in the offseasons, and the two spoke regularly. After the biggest moment of Irving’s career — his winning shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals to help clinch Cleveland’s first championship — Irving said Kobe was the first person he called.

When Kobe passed away on Jan. 26 of this year, Irving was unable to play in the Nets’ game that night because he was so distraught. Five days later, Irving dropped 54 points in remembrance of his friend.

On the court, Irving doesn’t fit the Kobe profile. He’s a 6’2″ point guard who doesn’t possess elite athleticism. He’s never been known as a great defender like Kobe.

What Irving does have in common with Kobe is an incredible scoring ability, some of the league’s best ball-handling skills, and a reputation as a cold-blooded clutch shot-maker.

Off the court, Irving is highly intelligent and just a bit … different than a lot of pro athletes. Kobe was the same way. Their approach with the media, their perspective on the world, it sets them apart from the norm and the stereotypes.