Kyrie Irving on his first interaction with Kobe Bryant: "I walk over there and my heart's pounding, bro…I don't know why. And I'm like, I'm about to go talk with Kobe. I'm like, 'Honestly, I'd beat you one-on-one, bro.' And I practiced the line in my head, like when I get a chance, 'I could beat you one-on-one.' I practiced in the mirror before I got there…and I’m like, 'Kobe, man, I could beat you one-on-one…. honestly, we should get this one-on-one game. Honestly, I think you can't guard me.'

"Duke Blue Planet was right there and they just captured the whole thing, the exchange, [on video]. And I realize that Kobe also had an aura about him at this time that, if you were around him, he gravitated towards the real ones, you know? And he would have a conversation with the real people. And he would address you in a respectful manner, as long as you gave him that same respect and you showed no fear. You know what I mean? Almost like to the point where he knows he's Kobe Bryant, I know he's Kobe Bryant, but, this is competition… This is fun, this is more than a game for us, this is learning from the greatest to play through my optics through my generation.”

Source: The ETC's with Kevin Durant (Podcast)

Here's video of the exchange between Irving and Bryant: