On Instagram, former NBA coach Phil Handy posted a lengthy message to his followers in the defense of Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving. Handy, who was a lead assistant for the Lakers from 2019-2024, began by demanding an apology from all those who tried to sabotage Irving’s career.
“I usually reserve my comments on certain things but not today,” wrote Handy. “There’s a lot of people in the hoop world who owe this man public apologies.”
Handy, age 52, went on to explain how the media, and some of Kyrie Irving’s staunchest critics, wrongfully tried to destroy Irving’s character and derail his career without even knowing who he really was.
“Some of y’all tried to bury this dude and kill his character based on what you heard and don’t know. Word to the unwise… if you don’t know someone you probably shouldn’t speak on them. Media and others always shave their narratives but the real ones know!”
As an assistant coach during the Cavaliers‘ 2016 championship run, Handy got to know Irving personally and they formed a strong bond in their time working together. The former Duke star would later leave the Cavaliers to join the Celtics, Nets, and eventually the Mavericks. Along the way, he got caught up in several major controversies centered around anti-Semitic endorsements and the refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Several seasons later, at 32 years old, it has all come together for Irving at the perfect time. Contrary to popular thinking after his trade to the Mavericks, Irving hasn’t been a distraction at all and he’s been everything they needed him to be alongside Luka Doncic.
Some in the industry have already issued an apology to the 2016 champion but I don’t think his reputation will ever fully recover from the media smear campaign that he endured for years. While it’s good that Kyrie is finally getting the credit and respect he deserves, it doesn’t change the fact that some of the criticisms went way too far and it’s no wonder why he’s enjoying enacting his revenge.
Handy Says Kobe Bryant Would Be Proud
Kyrie’s performance this season is like the stuff of legends and it’s something that Kobe would have loved to see as his former friend and mentor. In his final words to Irving, Phil Handy explained that Kobe would be watching Kyrie like a proud dad this season.
“Kyrie Irving keep doing your thing YOG! Bean would be proud. More work to do but damn it’s good to see this dude in the Finals!”
Bryant, a 20-year veteran for the Lakers, is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats of this game and Irving has long been one of his biggest fans. When Bryant was still alive years ago, Irving frequently trained with Kobe and used some of his iconic moves and tips to help perfect his own game.
More than anything, Bryant served as an inspiration to Irving and so many young athletes around the world. The 6’6″ shooting guard was notorious for his “Mamba mentality” and the killer competitive spirit that often won him so many games.
While Irving is not quite on Kobe’s level in terms of accolades (5x champion, 18x All-Star, and 2x scoring leader), his game is still elite and it will be necessary for the Mavericks to close this series and win their first championship since 2011.
Despite what the critics were saying, Kyrie has performed well enough so far for the Mavericks and he’s on track to close this season as a 2x NBA champion. The redemption arc has truly been spectacular for Kyrie and there’s no doubt that he can live up to the standard he set during his second Finals appearance in 2016 when he averaged 27.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in seven games against the Warriors.
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