How Kobe Bryant’s Shadow Hampered LeBron James – Kyrie Irving’s Relationship

Kyrie Irving had a great relationship with Kobe Bryant before LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

How Kobe Bryant’s Shadow Hampered LeBron James – Kyrie Irving’s Relationship

Kyrie Irving looked up to Kobe Bryant more than LeBron James (Image via FirstSportz)

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Basketball and, particularly, Cleveland Cavaliers fans hoped LeBron James and Kyrie Irving would continue to carry their franchise to more NBA titles. The duo was dynamic enough to win more than 1 title together.

The pair combined to give the franchise its 1st-ever NBA championship when they dug deep to win against arguably the best regular-season team in league history.

Even after Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors in the offseason, then-head coach Ty Lue revealed that they would have eventually figured out how to defeat the super team, and maybe won 2 or 3 more titles.

The Cavaliers knew they had to get creative after their 2017 Finals loss, but did not expect their young star point guard to hand in a trade request. Irving wanted to lead a team on his own and move out of James’ shadow.

The franchise eventually agreed, which left their biggest superstar ‘crushed’. All of this could have been avoided if the point guard had let his superstar teammate become his mentor.

He idolized and looked up to Kobe so much that he didn’t give Bron the chance to be that big brother figure, even when y’all wanted. I wasn’t there, but I’m keeping it real. Kyrie never really looked at Bron as like that big brother. Kobe was that big brother to Kyrie.

Kendrick Perkins said on the Road Trippin’ Podcast

The former center and current ESPN analyst believes that had the Duke standout allowed James to be his ‘big brother,’ maybe the results over the next few years would have been different.

Kyrie Irving’s bond with Kobe Bryant was too strong

Kyrie Irving first met Kobe Bryant when Team USA was preparing for the 2012 London Olympics. The former had just finished his Rookie of the Year campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers and was feeling good about his prospects in the league.

Those performances drew Irving to practice with the senior squad, and he took full advantage of it. Eventually, he did not make the squad, considering the talent available at Team USA’s disposal.

During that time, the Cavs guard challenged his idol, Bryant, to a 1-on-1 duel. Since then, they formed a strong bond that stayed its course until the Black Mamba passed away in January 2020.

The now Dallas Mavericks superstar still visits the late-Lakers’ legends’ statue whenever he visits Los Angeles, and reaffirms his love for his great friend and mentor.

Kendrick Perkins believes LeBron James and Kyrie Irving could have had a successful run

The problem for LeBron James is that he came in as the championship-winning superstar into a team that Kyrie Irving was helming up until that point. Along with Kevin Love‘s arrival, it seemed as if the point guard would play 3rd fiddle.

Kyrie Irving and LeBron James playing for the Cavs
Kyrie Irving and LeBron James playing for the Cavs (Image via Bleacher Report/X)

Irving was seen as an equal, but knew the offense ran through his established veteran teammate, and that is where former teammate Kendrick Perkins believes it impacted their chemistry.

So when he burned off, it wasn’t surprising to me, although I wasn’t there. I was like they tripping. They could have run off a few more, but he was tired of being under the shadows. Bron could never really get that arm around Kyrie, cuz Kyrie really didn’t allow him to, in my opinion.

Kendrick Perkins said

Eventually, after trying to lead the young Boston Celtics, the New Jersey native finally realized what James was trying to do when he was the younger teammate. But it was too late, and obstructions came in their way when they attempted to team up later.

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