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,

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.

Kyrie Irving paid homage to his late friend, Kobe Bryant, when he visited the statues of him and his daughter, Gianna on Feb. 25.

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.

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.