Kyrie Irving continued his attempt to change the NBA logo from Jerry West to Kobe Bryant after the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.
Irving talked more about the logo and explained that he believes it is part of his “responsibility” as a black man to push “our culture forward”.
“I know it was probably found with some people who love it – who love the idea – and some people who don’t,” said Irving. “But, my thing is to honor the example that was set by that man. Seventeen years; we’re recruiting guys who are even younger now. Guys coming out of different places and he was the standard for our generation. And it will continue and I want this to be something in the story that has changed forever, that our generation was part of that change and if it means that I have to go ahead and keep the conversation going, then great. “
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The Nets star said the late Los Angeles legend Lakers and his family “deserve it”. He added that he was not trying to disrespect anyone who came before or after Bryant.
VANESSA BRYANT BACKS KYRIE IRVING IN THE CHANGE OF THE NBA LOGO
“I’m not discrediting anyone when I say that Kob should be the logo because we have so many examples of guys doing things on and off the ground that were jumps and obstacles to being where we are now,” explained Irving. “So, I’m just saying these days, I think it was on 2/24 (when posted), a year after the memorial. And it’s just a reminder that this is the guy for us.”
“This is the guy for me. He is my mentor,” he added. “More than just inspiration. I took a lot of knowledge and wisdom from that guy and he is always close to me and Gigi is always close to me and I know that in women’s football we want to continue to push things forward, but in our game, too, we want to establish a pattern and a precedent like this is excellence. Kobe Bryant. Logo. Yes. It needs to happen. I don’t care what they say. The black kings built the league. It is exactly what I meant, it is exactly where I am. “
Irving also had the support of Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, who wrote on Instagram that she loved the idea of making it the new logo.
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Jerry West, who is the silhouette seen in the NBA logo, said earlier that he would not object to changing it.