'When he started that rapport with Kob, the floodgates just opened up' - Phil Handy on how Kobe elevated Kyrie's game to the next level

History has shown that the most talented artists are often the toughest to work with. Whether it's because they are already set in their ways or simply have a complex personality, it can be a challenge for coaches and mentors to truly connect with these individuals.

This was the case with talented superstar Kyrie Irving, who former assistant coach Phil Handy recalls as being a tough nut to crack. However, everything changed when Kobe Bryant entered the picture.

Kyrie was untrusting

When Mike Brown was hired to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers, he didn't hesitate to bring Phil with him. The two had already worked on the Los Angeles Lakers, and Brown felt Handy's talent in enhancing players' individual skills would go a long way with Kai, who was already an All-Star in his sophomore season.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as smoothly as Brown or Handy wanted them to. Irving was an incredibly gifted player, but he had a tough exterior and didn't easily open up to coaches.

"When I got to Cleveland—and if you don't know Kyrie, he'll tell you—Kai's one of them dudes that if he doesn't know you, he's not fooling with you. He's just not messing with you," Handy shared on "Podcast P."

Not long after arriving in Cleveland, Handy realized how tedious it would be to spend time with Kyrie. They worked out only once, and the former Duke standout immediately flew to Miami, but not before vowing to stay in touch, a promise that never came to fruition.

"My first ten days in Cleveland, I had maybe one text conversation with him. So, I went to Mike Brown and said, 'Yo, I have to get on a plane and go to Miami. I'm not playing around with this,'" Handy remembered saying. "One thing about me—and y'all will learn—I'm no-nonsense when it comes to the game. I'm a respect guy. That's what made me successful as a coach in this league: I give respect, but I demand it back."

Phil and Kyrie eventually sat down and had a meaningful conversation. The former learned of the latter's previous experiences of being let down by some people he trusted.

"He opened up. He said, 'Coach, I just don't trust people in this industry. People have told me a lot of things, but it never holds up. I don't know you.' I said, 'Fair enough. From this point forward, I'll treat you like a man, and you treat me like a man. Let's start with that,'" Phil disclosed.

Kyrie had his own methods

As Phil began nurturing his relationship with the 6'2" guard, he soon found out that Kai wasn't fond of doing drills. To be fair, Irving spent a lot of time in the gym, but that was only to play one-on-one games, as that was his way of sharpening his skills. Seemingly at the end of his rope, Phil turned to a trusted friend: the "Black Mamba."

"So, I called Kobe. I said, 'Listen, man, I need your help with this young kid. He respects the hell out of you, and he loves you.' Kobe said, 'Man, shoot. I love that kid's game,'" Phil shared. "I asked, 'Can I connect you two? Can he call you?' Kobe said, 'Man, give him my number. Tell him to call me anytime.'"

From that point onwards, Handy said Kyrie trained and played like a different player.

"Kobe was instrumental in telling him, 'Young fella, here's what you have to do. You've got to work on your game and pick your spots.' When he started that rapport with Kobe, the floodgates opened. His mindset changed. His approach changed. Kobe really took him in," Phil remarked.

In Kobe, Kyrie found a brother and a mentor—someone who pushed him to be the best version of himself, on and off the court. Irving had his quirks, and Bryant famously had his. More than anything, they both shared a relentless drive for greatness and a deep love for the game—common ground that formed the foundation of their bond.