On Monday, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving spoke to the media for the first time since the training camp opened, effectively ending his boycott of the press.
The New Jersey resident was heavily criticized for saying he would not speak to the media early this month, and ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith felt that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant would not be happy with Irving’s recent behavior. (around 2:50 points).
“One person Kyrie respected, loved and glorified was Kobe Bryant,” Smith said during ESPN’s “First Take.” “I don’t think Kobe Bryant would be happy.”
Irving is, without a doubt, one of the best players in the league, but his off-pitch attitude has made him seem puzzling.
He waved some feathers weeks ago when he said he didn’t really feel his team needed a head coach, which some say was disrespectful to new Nets coach Steve Nash.
Irving has seen Bryant as a kind of mentor for years. He even paid tribute to Bryant and his late daughter Gianna in a recently unreleased song.
Elder Bryant, younger Bryant and seven others were killed in a tragic helicopter crash in January.