Kyrie Irving vents about Kobe Bryant moment after tearing his ACL in Mavericks colors on IG live

Kyrie Irving livestreamed on Instagram in the wake of his ACL tear becoming public news, paying tribute to Kobe Bryant

Kyrie Irving vents about Kobe Bryant moment after tearing his ACL in Mavericks colors on IG live

Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving

When you see Kyrie Irving exhibit the deepest bag of scoring skills the NBA has ever seen, you can always see shades of how Kobe Bryant influenced most of those moves. This is understandable – Kobe was the best player in the NBA throughout most of Kyrie’s formative years. Bryant was the prototypical player everyone tried to model their scoring skillsets after. Many have tried and failed, but Irving came the closest.

In many ways, you can say that Irving has even overshadowed Kobe Bryant. When it comes to handling the ball, the 32-year-old Mavericks guard is truly peerless. No one can get from point A to point B in more ways than the wizard born Down Under. Irving will always be looked at as one of the most lethal scorers in league history – especially with his exploits 9 years ago in the 2016 NBA Finals.

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However, with his latest acts on the basketball court, Irving has paid tribute to Bryant’s legacy in moving fashion. Kobe famously shot both free throws after the Lakers superstar was fouled while tearing his Achilles in 2013. Irving did the same, emulating his Lakers legend muse against Sacramento on March 3rd. Irving took to Instagram live after MRI scans showed that he had suffered an ACL, expressing how he wished to pay this tribute to the 5-time NBA champion:

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I think that the greatest gift that I got that I gave to myself was going to that free throw line & hitting both free throws. If I didn’t make both FTs & if you know, you know (Kobe Bryant). If I didn’t make those FTs, I would’ve been pissed all year.

Kyrie Irving on Instagram Live

Irving is wildly popular among basketball fans of all demographics, and his final act on the basketball court in the 2024-25 season will only serve to solidify his legacy among true hoops fans. We would all like to see the most swashbuckling player in the league stage a comeback at full cry.

Kyrie Irving promises to be back better than ever after his injury brings him down

Irving was upbeat on Instagram Live despite the career-altering nature of his knee injury. The former Celtics, Cavaliers and Nets guard promised to be back to the court with a vengeance.

It hasn’t been 48 hours since I tore my ACL but the recovery process already started. Mentally, spiritually, emotionally

Kyrie Irving said on Instagram Live

When Irving went down in agony clutching his knee against Sacramento at the American Airlines Center, most longtime sports fans knew they were witnessing a long-term injury taking place. With their worst fears confirmed, the tributes and condolences poured in for the mercurial point guard. Retired Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos was among those who mourned his injury.

Irving has an outsized influence on pop culture compared to most of his NBA peers. His transcendent play and ability to wow spectators has brought him fans from other sports, and will make him one of the most dearly remembered players to ever grace a basketball court. He is undoubtedly already a legend in the streets and in people’s hearts.