VIDEO: Kyrie Irving Tears up During Nets' Kobe Bryant Tribute
Before the Brooklyn Nets' home game against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, the Nets had an emotional video tribute for NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who passed away on Sunday in a horrific helicopter accident. Nets' star PG Kyrie Irving, who was very close with Bryant, teared up during the tribute as it was shown to everyone in the Barclays Center.
Kyrie Irving was in tears during the Nets' tribute to Kobe. pic.twitter.com/mclXqM5e73
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 30, 2020
Irving missed Sunday's game against the New York Knicks for personal reasons, which took place just a few hours after his friend's sudden death was announced. While this was immediately linked to the passing of Bryant, a new story has emerged about exactly what happened.
Kyrie Irving left Madison Square Garden after hearing the Kobe Bryant news, I was told. Never returned.
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) January 26, 2020
He will not play tonight.
We all knew Irving was close to Bryant, but this is another level. Irving must have wanted to be alone during this hard time.
Bryant was also a mentor to Irving, so this must have really struck a cord with the All-Star point guard.
This was just a few weeks ago in Brooklyn.
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) January 26, 2020
Kobe Bryant has said that Kyrie Irving is the current NBA player he’s closest with. Both Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie idolized Kobe growing up.
I don’t have words to properly describe Kobe’s impact on the game, people, and the world. pic.twitter.com/Zl9K23rcmo
The unexpected passing of Bryant has been immensely painful for those close to him, such as Irving, and we should expect reactions like these for a long time.