Lots of players looked up to Kobe Bryant, but Kyrie Irving idolized him and developed a close relationship with the late NBA legend. With the Dallas Mavericks in town to play the Los Angeles Lakers in a game where everyone was talking about Luka Doncic,

The Dallas Mavericks were defeated 107-99 by the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Before the game, however, Mavs star Kyrie Irving took some time to visit the Kobe and Gianna Bryant statue that is outside of the Crypto.

Tuesday's contest marks Irving's first time facing Doncic since the Slovenian superstar's stunning Feb. 2 blockbuster trade from Dallas to LA. While Irving stressed the importance of his team remaining focused, he took the opportunity to recognize his late mentor and his daughter before the game.

While everyone was busy talking about Luka Doncic playing against his former team for the first time since getting traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving was seen visiting the Kobe and Gigi Bryant statue outside Crypto.

There is much chatter surrounding Luka Doncic’s first game against the Dallas Mavericks since he was stunningly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package revolving around Anthony Davis. Before experiencing that surreal experience on the court,

Many current NBA players had a relationship with late, great Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, but arguably none were closer than Dallas Mavericks star point guard Kyrie Irving.

Before stepping onto the court for one of the most highly anticipated games of the season, Kyrie Irving took a moment to pay tribute to his late mentor, Kobe Bryant, and Bryant’s daughter, Gigi. As the Mavericks arrived at Crypto.