Kobe's estranged relationship with his father

from the Daily:

Disappointed with his son's marriage almost two years ago, Joe Bryant is no longer part of Kobe's life, but Laker star hopes that changes...


"My mom asked me to leave him a ticket, so of course I did," Kobe said, his voice dropping. "But I knew he wouldn't come down and see me. He never does." He didn't wave or call out. He didn't visit the locker room. He didn't speak to the son from whom he has been quietly estranged for nearly two years.

While declining to offer details of a rift made public by his father, Kobe quietly confirmed this week that Joe is uncomfortable that Vanessa, a Latina, is not African American, and he is uneasy with Bryant's selfless devotion to her.

Said Kobe: "Sure, I miss my father. Who wouldn't miss his father?"

Said Joe: "Once he decided to get married, it's his life now."

His parents did not come to Kobe and Vanessa's wedding two summers ago. Joe has not seen the couple's new house in Orange County. Joe has never met the couple's first child, his granddaughter Natalia, who was born in January. When Kobe's Philadelphia-area high school retired his number last season, his parents sat in one section of the bleachers, while Vanessa sat in another section.

"It's not about basketball," Kobe said. "It's about having somebody to go to a ballgame with. It's about having somebody to hang out with. That's what I miss. Sure I hope we can get back together," Kobe said at the Laker practice facility Friday. "When the time is right, if he wants to come and sit down and discuss things, we can do that."

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Thoughts?

Sad, I wonder why there is so much aminosity between the relationships of his father, wife, and himself...

I read that article this morning, too. It really sounds as though Kobe is willing to talk with his dad. His dad, however, seems to be the one who doesn't seem to care - it's Kobe's life and that's that.

Yea, so he doesn't like Kobe's wife for not being african-american. That totaly sucks... alot...

Thats weird, I hope their relationship gets better.

Well I guess race "is" still an issue in the perception of the eyes of the parent. That's messed up.. People don't ask to fall in love with some for what their race and appearance is. They fall in love for what they're worth and who are are as a whole. I guess some people can't see beyond the eye.

Would they rather be happy if Kobe married a woman cuz he didn't love her, was an ugly person inside, and only wanted him cuz he's "Kobe Bryant?" Would that have made then happy??

Double standards :man7:

Yeah Kobes happy now
I bet Vanessa feels so bad and separated
Kobes a big man
Dont be racist!

Reddy wrote:Yeah Kobes happy now
I bet Vanessa feels so bad and separated
Kobes a big man
Dont be racist!

As long as they can learn to cope with the decisions of his parents, then they'll acknowlege this as just another stepping stone, u know? They know what qualities to enstill in their daughter and if there's anymore to come...

Yes, and another point is. Kobe married his high school sweetheart, not some Ho looking for his money. I think she's a classy girl (hearing her from her interviews) and a very beautiful one too...

Lakers Dynasty 2000 wrote:Yes, and another point is. Kobe married his high school sweetheart, not some Ho looking for his money. I think she's a classy girl (hearing her from her interviews) and a very beautiful one too...

And his parents aren't...That's what prolly hurts Kobe the most. He found a beautiful woman, inside and out, and his parents can't see that... It's sad. It's they parents who are gonna miss out on their son's life.

Yes, especially when he is becoming one of the best players ever to play the game. He just keeps outdoing himself. I really see it as more motivation, but Kobe is all grown up now, and does have a family of his own. And no matter what, wherever he ends up in his career, he'll always have the fans of Los Angeles.

HAVING HIS POP OUT OF HIS LIFE IS A PLUS FOR KOBE.

ALL JELLYBEAN DID IS PROVIDE BAD ADVICE TO HIS SON.

FIRST, HE TOLD KOBE THAT HE IS BIGGER THAN THE TEAM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, TOLD HIM TO SHOOT MORE AND TO LOOK OUT FOR HIMSELF. WE ALL KNOW HOW IT TRANSPIRED.

SECOND, HE TOLD KOBE TO BUY AN ITALIAN BASKETBALL TEAM THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A FINANCIAL BUST.

HEY, JELLYBEAN BUZZ OFF!!!!!!!!

Lakers Dynasty 2000 wrote:Yes, and another point is. Kobe married his high school sweetheart, not some Ho looking for his money. I think she's a classy girl (hearing her from her interviews) and a very beautiful one too...

Nope, not true. Kobe met her while filming a video for his wack rap single. Vanessa is 4 years younger than Kobe and they never attented the same high school. She's from Cali, he's from Philly.

But anyway, I'm hopeful that whatever the differences are between father and son, they can put it behind them and come together again as a family.

why does la times bring this up during the playoffs?
its funny
Vannesa is pretty and i think shes very nice
She truly loves Kobe and thats all that matters

Thanks FirstLady, I had heard that they were from the same school, but your probably right since I never read that. Thanks for the info

Reddy wrote:why does la times bring this up during the playoffs?
its funny
Vannesa is pretty and i think shes very nice
She truly loves Kobe and thats all that matters

I know huh? They (the media) always wanna start another point of controversy for Kobe and the team. I don't like that one bit.

Yeah. No offense, but I dont like the LAtimes writers.
They can get on my nerves sometimes when the y get so anti-laker.
i mean shouldnt you be helping your home team wint eh 4 peat? Bringing up this issue doesnt help teh LAkers, I like daily news WAAAAAAAAAY BETTER

Must be tough for Kobe. His dad sounds like a punk!

Reddy wrote:Yeah. No offense, but I dont like the LAtimes writers.
They can get on my nerves sometimes when the y get so anti-laker.
i mean shouldnt you be helping your home team wint eh 4 peat? Bringing up this issue doesnt help teh LAkers, I like daily news WAAAAAAAAAY BETTER

4real...I guess publicity is more important than supporting the home teams of LA. Wussup with that??

Well, the only thing with that is that Kobe also had to agree to talk about it. I mean, he's the one who finally agreed to talk about the situation after all this time.