NBA Finals 2017: Kobe Bryant helps Irving, James co-exist in Cleveland

The NBA Finals 2017 are here, and Kyrie Irving knew just where to go for advice.

While the Warriors and Cavs meeting for three straight times in the NBA Finals is cool, sometimes cool heads don’t always prevail afterwards. Los Angeles knows this too well, as a divide between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal messed up tons of potential.

Something special has also been brewing in Cleveland. With the Cavs, Kyrie Irving has seen both sides of a season. While LeBron James was winning in Miami, Irving stayed patient and worked on his game.

Now that he’s having chance after chance on the highest stage, Irving’s ability to be himself really is starting to shine.

But with that in mind, the last thing that Irving seems to want is any problems with James. O’Neal and Bryant had a beef of beefs, and anything close to that would tear Cleveland in half.

According to a story on Bleacher Report, Irving reached out to the Lakers legend about just that.

Kyrie Irving had some interesting things to say, per the report:

"“Whenever that time comes and it’s my time to be the leader of the franchise, then I’ll be well-prepared. But for now, I’m cool with just being—I’m very, very cool with being—a great guy on a great team.”"

If Irving’s patience in terms of being the total leader on a good Cavs team can wait just a bit longer, Cleveland won’t be going anywhere. Even at the point where LeBron James decides to call it a career, the team will be in good hands.

Unlike the Shaq-Kobe drama, both Irving and James seem determined to keep anything bad from happening between them.

Next: What Are The Chances Of The Lakers Trading Anybody?

Right now, they’ll have the Warriors to worry about. If they prevail and continue working well together, they’ll have Kobe to thank for that.