The NBA world is mourning the loss of Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Joe passed away on Tuesday at the age of 69 after a career in the NBA.
Despite Joe’s patchy relationship with Vanessa Bryant and Kobe, she paid respect to Joe after his passing with a lengthy social media post:
https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1813274252260614189
“Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father in law’s passing. We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much. Our prayers go out to family.”
It’s a classy gesture from Vanessa Bryant, especially after the strained relationship they had with one another. Joe reportedly did not approve of Kobe marrying the younger Vanessa, and he decided not to attend their wedding. Here’s what Chris Ballard of Sports Illustrated wrote about the relationship back in 2012:
“When Kobe and Vanessa got married the following year, Joe and Pam didn’t attend the wedding; when the Lakers played three games in Philadelphia during the 2001 NBA Finals, Joe was nowhere to be found.
Despite all of the drama between the two, Vanessa admits the times they spent with one another were good ones.
A look at the career of Joe Bryant
Joe Bryant was a first-round draft choice by the Golden State Warriors in 1975 and was the 14th overall pick that year. However, he never played for Golden State. Instead, he played the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers.
In all, Joe Bryant played eight NBA campaigns before going overseas to play professional basketball. He then became a coach for over 20 years, including stints with the Los Angeles Sparks and some time as a high school coach as well.
Joe Bryant will be remembered by many, and prayers go out to the Bryant family after the tragic loss.
Matt Wadleigh is the lead NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball editor for ClutchPoints, and he also specializes in MLB and NFL coverage. Born and raised in Oceanside, Matt went to Fresno State before covering sports for FanSided, Sportscasting, and Trojans Wire.
News
WNBA News: Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon caused a social media storm after criticizing the media and those who badmouthed Angel Reese, making her feel hurt and cry her heart out for being accused of dirty play.
Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon caused a social media storm after criticizing the media and those who badmouthed Angel Reese. Weatherspoon’s comments came after Reese expressed feeling hurt and shed tears over accusations of dirty play against opponents on the…
Jason Whitlock Blasts Tyreek Hill After Latest Arrest
Before taking the field against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill found himself in a heated confrontation with Miami-Dade police officers near Hard Rock Stadium. The incident, which also involved Hill’s teammate Calais Campbell, began when officers…
JUST IN: Cardi B Breaks Silence On Romance With Chris Brown After Filing For Divorce From Offset
Cardi B has fiпally addressed the swirliпg rυmors aboυt a poteпtial romaпce with R&B star Chris Browп, followiпg her highly pυblicized decisioп to file for divorce from her hυsbaпd, Offset. The specυlatioп has beeп bυzziпg for weeks, aпd faпs have…
OMG! Secret revealed: 10 years of rebellion and trauma of Michael Jackson’s daughter
10 years of rebellion and trauma for Michael Jackson’s daughter After her father’s death 10 years ago Paris Jackson suffered so much physical and mental pain that she wanted to free herself by committing suicide. Paris Jackson is the only…
BREAKING: An NFL insider confirmed that Lizzo has been removed from consideration for the Super Bowl halftime performance and replaced by Taylor Swift, which has excited fans….
Breaking News: NFL Insider Confirms Lizzo Removed from Super Bowl Halftime Consideration, Replaced by Taylor Swift-Fans Erupt with Excitement In a stunning turn of events that has set the sports and entertainment worlds abuzz, an NFL insider has confirmed that…
Taylor Swift Fans Are Pissed Over Her Latest Decision Involving Brittany Mahomes. She subsequently hit back “There’s no reason your brain is fully developed, and you hate to see others doing well.”
Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes (Photos via Getty Images) It’s not often that Taylor Swift does something that makes her fan base mad at her, but she certainly riled them up about Brittany Mahomes. During the 2023 NFL season, Swift…
End of content
No more pages to load