Kyrie Irving has been a well documented fan of now retired Lakers’ guard, Kobe Bryant, and he paid homage to him after winning the NBA Finals Sunday night
It’s been no secret that Cleveland Cavaliers’ star, Kyrie Irving is an avid disciple of Lakers’ guard, Kobe Bryant’s School of Basketball — most notably starting in 2012 with the duo’s infamous one-on-one bet — so it should come as no surprise when the former revealed what he was thinking before, during and after Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
Even writing “Whiplash” on nearly every pair of game sneakers, a movie Kobe Bryant went on the record to say was one of his favorites, though The Black Mamba often mentions Russell Westbrook in terms of a player that he sees himself most in, Irving’s “Mamba Mentality” can no longer be denied.
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With the score tied at 89 a piece for what seemed like an eternity — in actuality a period spanning from 4:40 left in the fourth quarter to just around a minute left in the game — Irving got the switch the Cleveland Cavaliers have looked to exploit all series long.
Finally, able to go one-on-one with defending MVP, Stephen Curry, Irving drilled a clutch three which ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.
While the shot was impressive on its own, Irving’s comments about what he was thinking about down the stretch speaks to his respect and admiration for the now retired Byrant.
"All I was thinking in the back of mind was Mamba Mentality." Kyrie Irving, Kobe Disciple, on Game 7 approach
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) June 20, 2016
Citing “Mamba Mentality” as a driving force to what kept him on track throughout the tumultuous NBA Finals, including but not limited to crawling back from a daunting 3-1 series deficit, represents yet another testament to Kobe Bryant’s lasting impact on the league.
It is interesting to think that one day soon, younger players will be citing Kyrie Irving’s performance in this Finals as what they are thinking in the back of their minds and that’s a wonderful thing to think about.
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With the draft coming up on Thursday night, the Lakers are keeping their fingers crossed that they’ll be able to draft yet another member of the “Mamba Mentality” mob to help lead them by example moving forward.