Kyrie Irving, guard for the Dallas Mavericks, strongly defended the enduring legacy of the late Kobe Bryant during a July 22 Twitch stream. He criticized NBA analysts for downplaying Bryant’s incredible contributions to basketball and his influence on younger generations, emphasizing the importance of preserving Bryant’s true impact.
Irving made his position clear, stating,
“I’m not letting people revise history,”
underscoring Bryant’s remarkable rise to prominence. He noted that Bryant entered the NBA at just 17 years old and quickly became a dominant player.
“By the time this man was 22 years old, he had a few championships, and he was busting the best of the best’s a. If y’all don’t knock that st off,”
Irving declared with passion, highlighting how early Bryant established his elite status in the league.
Challenging media narratives undermining Kobe Bryant’s legacy
Irving openly targeted media commentators and analysts, accusing them of lacking a full understanding of NBA history when discussing Bryant’s career. He contended that these superficial judgments fail to recognize Bryant’s profound role not only in basketball but also in broader cultural contexts. According to Irving, such careless criticisms diminish the respect the late player deserves.
He further articulated Bryant’s multidimensional influence, saying,
“The real respect and real recognizing real, this man Kobe Bean Bryant is immortalized not just because of his basketball,”
emphasizing Bryant’s enduring legacy beyond statistics. Irving added,
“We didn’t care about certain failures. The real Kobe fans didn’t care about the naysayers,”
stressing the loyal support Bryant maintained even in the face of critics.
Controversy over Kobe Bryant’s ranking in all-time great player lists
The conversation around Bryant’s legacy intensified following Bleacher Report’s recent ranking placing him as the 11th greatest basketball player ever, a position many felt was inadequate. NBA figures like Shaquille O’Neal labeled the ranking as criminal, while Kenyon Martin argued Bryant was the league’s best player throughout his 15 years.
Former player Matt Barnes offered perspective on the shift in media treatment of Bryant, suggesting that disrespect grew notably after Bryant’s death in 2020. He attributed this to uninformed analysts and a growing reliance on analytics-driven evaluations that often fail to capture Bryant’s full value on and off the court.
Recognition of Kobe Bryant’s defensive excellence
Commentator Chris Broussard of FS1 added nuance to the debate, pointing out potential recency bias influencing rankings that place Stephen Curry above Bryant. Broussard remarked,
“With all due respect to Steph, I’m not ready to put him above Kobe,”
highlighting Bryant’s defensive skills, which are frequently overlooked.
Bryant’s defensive credentials are notable: he earned selection to 12 All-Defensive Teams, tying for second-most in NBA history alongside Kevin Garnett and trailing only Tim Duncan’s 15. He also holds the record for the most All-Defensive First Team selections—nine—for any guard or wing player, emphasizing his two-way impact on the game.
Enduring respect and influence beyond the basketball court
Beyond rankings and statistics, Kobe Bryant’s legacy continues to resonate strongly across the basketball community. Dwyane Wade publicly ranked Bryant among the top three players in NBA history, reflecting widespread admiration for the late star’s contributions and character.
Kyrie Irving remains a vocal advocate, ensuring that Bryant’s true legacy—rooted in perseverance, excellence, and influence—remains accurately represented amid evolving discussions. His defense helps cement the Mamba’s place as one of basketball’s most iconic figures, whose impact extends far beyond the sport.