Phil Handy is one of the most respected assistant coaches in the entire NBA. He was a part of the famed 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers squad as assistant to Tyronn Lue when the Cavs completed their infamous 3-1 comeback over the Golden State Warriors. He was also a part of the coaching staff of the 2019 NBA Champions Toronto Raptors and the 2020 Lakers.
Handy formed a close bond with Kyrie Irving during his Cleveland days and still works out with the disgruntled Brooklyn Nets guard in the offseasons. The Lakers assistant also worked with Kobe Bryant in the early 2010s’ as a player developmental coach, so he has worked with both Kyrie and Kobe extensively.
Kyrie Irving and Kobe were good friends, with Kyrie often learning from Kobe when the pair would work out together. Handy has used his experiences with both players to say if Kyrie was as tall as Kobe was, the players would have identical playing styles.
“If Kyrie was 6’6, you would see Kobe mirrored back at you." – Lakers assistant Phil Handy
(via BF’s @nickjungfer) pic.twitter.com/2sPD7E34mJ
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) August 2, 2022
Bryant had once referred to Kyrie as the player that’s closest to him in the modern era. Considering how closely Kyrie has studied Kobe’s game over his career, it isn’t surprising to hear the comparison out loud. Kobe believed it, Kyrie plays like it, and Handy just confirmed it.
Kyrie has previously petitioned to have the NBA change the league’s logo to one of Kobe after the untimely passing of the Lakers legend. According to the Nets guard, Kobe Bryant is the greatest basketball player to have ever played the sport.
Considering Kyrie has been linked to the Lakers, it could be a dream come true for him to come to Tinsel Town and follow in Kobe’s footsteps. Considering his old championship-winning teammate and assistant coach are already there, Kyrie could be incentivized to make a title push in the iconic purple and gold.
