?Put My Shot to Half Court?: Kyrie Irving Was Once Left Embarrassed by Kobe Bryant, After Challenging the Mamba

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is not someone you can challenge and get away with easily. The Black Mamba used to not back down from anything and did whatever it took to overcome any challenge. And that is how Kyrie Irving was once left embarrassed by Kobe Bryant during his early days.

Kyrie Irving was drafted in the 2011 NBA draft as the number one overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs were coming off one of their worst seasons after their star, LeBron James left them. And the Cavs got a star for a future in the draft.

Irving was sensational for the Cavs and he showed them that he was the point guard of the future. His handling and scoring ability was on display from day one. Not to forget, he was a good shooter and playmaker as well and was also oozing with confidence.

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But that same confidence came crashing down when he took on Kobe.

Kobe Bryant destroyed Kyrie Irving and sent his shot to the half court

Irving wasn’t scared of anyone at his young age, and he wanted to take on everyone. Later, he got the opportunity to take on Kobe Bryant. But Kobe wasn’t gonna let Kyrie have his way, and he humiliated him. Kyrie addresses how Kobe sent his shot to half-court.

He says,” I was at the top of the key, playing against the Lakers and I had a one on one against Kobe. He strapped it, strapped it. Put my shot to half court”. Kyrie adds that this was the most embarrassing moment of his career. But he didn’t deter or get scared as he went back up against him for the next possession itself.

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But the props should go to Kobe. He was not the Kobe of before as he was at the Twilight of his career. Kyrie was younger and quicker, but Kobe took up the challenge and stepped up to it. He locked a young athletic and skillful point guard in the back end of his career and gave him his welcome to the NBA moment. Irving was so impressed with Kobe that he went to him for advice and mentorship later in his career.