“I’d Beat You One-on-One”: Kyrie Irving Recalls His Challenge to Kobe Bryant

Best friends turned teammates, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant didn’t have much to offer this season due to their injuries. But they have begun with some off-court chemistry with Durant’s new show. While there were numerous things to ponder upon, Irving reminisced his 1-on-1 challenge to Kobe Bryant as a rookie.

It’s fascinating how Irving has progressed in his career as one of the most efficient players, and he is now playing for the Nets. He started his career in 2011 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and is now a reputed NBA champion, 6-time NBA All-Star, and one of the best point guards in the league.

Back in 2012, when Kyrie earned the Rookie of the Year Award, he went to Kobe Bryant with a 1-on-1 game offer. It was during the US basketball team practice that he challenged the Black Mamba with full confidence. That video went viral years later on the internet.

Irving reveals how Kobe Bryant responded to his challenge in 2012

Kyrie recently spoke about Kobe’s response to his challenge. “I walk over there and my heart’s pounding, bro. I don’t know why. And I’m like, I’m about to go talk with Kobe. I’m like, honestly, I’d beat you, one-on-one bro. And I practiced the line in my head. Like when I get the chance Kobe, I could beat you one-on-one,” Irving said.

“I practiced in the mirror before I got there,” the Nets’ point guard revealed. “I’m going to go straight up like Kobe, man. Like I could beat you one-on-one. Honestly, we should get this one-on-one game. Honestly, I think you can’t guard me. I kind of went off-script. And then Duke Blue Planet [from the university] was right there, and they just captured the whole thing, the exchange.”

Well, a rookie would have had to put in some serious preparation before committing to a one-on-one with Kobe. But the amusing part was Kobe’s reaction to this challenge. Kyrie recalled it and said, “He [Kobe] was like ‘man, this mother——, this little kid Kyrie, he has the nerve to come up and talk to me?’ Mind you in any other situation, Kobe would’ve just strapped up his shoes, but I think he also had a mutual respect for me at that point early on in my life where it was like you know, $50,000 next year, let’s do it. We never got a chance to play, but after that point, I just studied him a lot more. My respect grew.”

That game never happened, but the incident made for a rather amusing exchange!