Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

“I saw the same ferocity in him as Kobe”- Nico Harrison hails Kyrie Irving as ‘heart and soul’ of Mavericks

Nico Harrison was all praise for Kyrie Irving.

Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The world had a déjà vu when Kyrie Irving made a couple of free throws despite being in pain. For a second, fans and fraternity saw a glimpse of LA Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant in Irving. This is the reason the Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison didn’t hold himself back and compared Irving with Bryant.

Notably, Irving sustained an ACL injury during the Mavericks’ blowout 122-98 loss to the Kings on Monday. He had to be taken off the court and was later declared out for the rest of the season. The incident took place in the first quarter of the game, when Irving fell down and hurt his knee.

However, before leaving the game, the star guard was brought where he pulled off two free throws. Despite being in pain, Irving’s dedication earned him heaps from fans and pundits, including the franchise’s manager Nico Harrison.

Harrison hailed Kyrie as the heart and soul of the team. “There aren’t words to fully describe who Kyrie Irving is to this team or what he means to us as an organization. Kyrie is the heart and soul of this team, and he has embraced the city of Dallas as his home and our fans as an extension of his own family,” he said.

Comparing him with the Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, Nico said that Irving’s passion reminded him of the late icon. “His work ethic and absolute dedication to his craft, it’s cut from the cloth of greats. I know it, I lived it, and I see the same ferocity and passion in him that I saw in Kobe,” he added.

Nico’s comparison came as even Bryant had shown passion for the side during one of the games in 2013. During the clash against the Golden State Warriors on April 12, 2013 at Staples Center, Bryant shot free throws after sustaining an Achilles injury.

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What now for Dallas Mavericks?

Ever since the blockbuster trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, Irving has single-handedly shouldered the responsibility of the whole team. With Anthony Davis getting sidelined after his debut game, Irving led the pack and helped the side record several wins.

The Mavericks are 28-22 with Irving this season. Needless to say, his absence is going to have a significant impact on their playoff chances. After their loss to the Kings, the Mavs are on a 32-30 run, occupying the 10th spot in the West.

Irving is averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this season. Apart from him, his side also saw Jaden Hardy leaving the Monday-night game with a right ankle sprain. Moreover, they are without Davis, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington Jr.

It goes without saying that with so many players remaining out with injuries, Mavericks’ season is worsening with each passing game. Having lost five of their last ten games, they will be up against the Bucks on Wednesday, March 5.

Dallas Mavericks

Kobe Bryant

Kyrie Irving

Nico Harrison

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.