NEW YORK – One day after posting on social media that he would like to see the NBA logo change from Jerry West’s silhouette to that of Kobe Bryant, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving confirmed his stance and said he was okay if he is the leader of the conversation.
“We want to set a standard and precedent, as this is excellence,” Irving said Thursday, after the Nets beat the Orlando Magic 129-92. Kobe Bryant. Logo. Yes. Has to happen. I don’t care what anyone says. ‘
In an Instagram post Wednesday, Irving posted a photo of a modified NBA logo with Bryant traded in as the figure in the middle with the caption, “Gotta Happen, idc what anyone says. BLACK KINGS BUILD THE LEAGUE.”
Kobe Bryant’s widow Vanessa Bryant shared Irving’s post on her Instagram story with the caption, “I love this. @KyrieIrving.”
Irving said Thursday night, “I want that to be something in history that will change forever, that our generation was part of that change. And if that means leading that forward and getting the conversation going, that’s great . “
In 2017, West said on ESPN’s The Jump that while it is “flattering” to be portrayed as the symbol of the league, “I think if I were the NBA, I would be ashamed of it. I don’t like it. to do something. to draw attention to myself. If they wanted to change it, I wish they would. In many ways I wish they would. “
Irving said he understands his proposal does not appeal to everyone.
“I know it’s probably been met with some people who love it – who love the idea – and some people who don’t,” Irving said. “But my thing is to pay tribute to the example set by that man.”
Since Bryant’s death in a helicopter accident in January 2020, the idea of changing the logo to Bryant’s silhouette has gained momentum. A change.org petition in support of the idea has yielded 3.2 million signatures since early 2020. The creator of the NBA logo, Alan Siegel – the current CEO and president of the brand identity and communications consultancy Siegelvision – told Newsweek at the time, “It’s pretty clear that [Bryant] was a highly respected figure by players and around the world and this is really a serious matter for the league to take into account. “
Irving said on Thursday that by advocating Bryant’s likeness in the logo, he did not intend to belittle other players who have had a significant impact on the league.
“I think he deserves it,” Irving said. ‘I think his family deserves it. I think we deserve to see greatness personified as Mamba. And everyone who comes into the competition should know that that’s the example that was set. ‘
ESPN’s Arda Ocal contributed to this report.