The Truth About Joe And Pamela Bryant

Former NBA star Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020. His 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, also died in the tragic accident. Among those mourning the terrible loss are Kobe's parents, Joe and Pam Bryant. Although Kobe's sometimes rocky relationship with his parents has made headlines in the past, it's clear that his mom and dad were proud of their son and his career. In 2017, Joe Bryant spoke to Respect magazine about Kobe's motivation and drive, saying: "He enjoys the game. He likes the challenge...These kids come out of school and worry about being the number one pick, the number two pick, I think it's more important to be with the right organization and Kobe was able to do that and you see, playing with an organization is really something special." Kobe's father certainly had the personal experience to back up his sports analysis.

Joe "Jellybean" Bryant was also a former NBA player who went on to coach both in the United States and abroad. Joe was drafted into the NBA by the Golden State Warriors, but began his career playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, where he played for four seasons before being traded to the San Diego Clippers, where he played for three years. Finally, he took the court for the Houston Rockets until 1983. At that point, he left the NBA and moved to Europe, bringing his family with him, to play another seven years. After retiring as a player, Joe remained involved in the sport.

He coached in Europe and then in the United States, where he was offered a position as an assistant coach at his alma mater, La Salle University. WNBA fans may have also seen him as the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks, a position he held from 2005 to 2007. Since Joe and his son had a lot in common thanks to their basketball skills, one might assume They had a great relationship, but that wasn't always the case. Things got ugly between Kobe Bryant and his parents in 2013 when, according to ESPN, his mother, Pam, tried to sell her memories of her son's high school days in Pennsylvania and his early years with Los Angeles Lakers.

This included: "the NBA star's jerseys, practice squad and Lower Merion High School tracksuits; varsity letters; a trophy... and a signed basketball from the NBA championship game 2000. And then there are the rings, for the 1996 Pennsylvania high school championship, a pair the Lakers made for Bryant's parents for the 2000 NBA championship, and one from the NBA All-Star Game of 1998". Why was Pamela doing this? She supposedly wanted a new house. Kobe reportedly gave his parents millions of dollars in financial assistance over the years and even offered to give his mother $250,000 for the house he wanted, but she allegedly wanted $450,000. . When Kobe resisted, he made a deal to get the $450,000 advance through an auction company. "I inherited competitiveness from my mother, that's for sure." Kobe spoke out about the situation in 2016, telling ESPN: "Our relationship sucks.

I say, 'I'm going to buy you a really nice house,' and the response is, 'That's not good enough.' So you? Are you selling my s---?” Kobe was reportedly not on speaking terms with his mother at the time, and it wasn't the first time Pam and Kobe were at odds. Pam reportedly did not attend Kobe's wedding because she thought he was too young to get married. According to Heavy, after Kobe and his wife, Vanessa, welcomed their first daughter, Natalia, in 2003, Kobe and his mother were able to mend their relationship. While they faced more problems in later years, including the flashback incident, it surely all seems insignificant now that Kobe has passed away.

When asked if he had anything to say about the loss of his son, The Sun reported that Pamela understandably responded by saying, quote: "Not now." A source speaking outside Kobe's sister Sharia's home explained: "At this point they have nothing to say, but they are obviously heartbroken. There will be no immediate comment from the family. At some point the family will be in touch. with them, but right now." We are all in shock. They're just trying to be a family right now." Our deepest condolences to Kobe's grieving family and friends.