The Bryant family has suffered another devastating loss. Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69. Joe Bryant, a former professional basketball player himself, had a significant influence on Kobe’s life and career. His death, which occurred just four years after Kobe’s tragic passing in a helicopter crash, has added another layer of grief to an already heartbroken family.
A Life Steeped in Basketball For Kobe Bryant’s Family
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, right, has a laugh with his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, prior to participating in a pickup basketball game at Loyola Marymount on July 5, 2007
Joe Bryant’s life was deeply rooted in basketball, both as a player and coach. A forward who played in the NBA for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Diego Clippers, he spent the latter part of his playing career in Italy.
Where his young son Kobe honed his basketball skills. Kobe often credited his father’s professional experience for shaping his own path to NBA stardom. After retiring from playing, Joe transitioned into coaching, including stints in Japan and the WNBA.
The Challenges of Father-Son Relationships
Kobe Bryant, Vanessa Bryant, Gianna Maria Onore and Natalia Diamante at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 2016 held at the UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, USA on July 14, 2016.
Though Joe and Kobe shared a passion for basketball, their relationship wasn’t without its challenges. Tensions between the two grew in the early 2000s, reportedly due to Kobe’s decision to marry his wife, Vanessa, at a young age.
Despite these difficulties, the two reconnected later in life, especially after Kobe became a father himself. Joe Bryant’s passing leaves a complicated legacy, both as a father who lost his son tragically and as a man whose basketball journey mirrored Kobe’s early years.
Tributes from the Basketball World
Following the news of Joe Bryant’s passing, tributes have poured in from across the basketball community for the Bryant Family.
Former colleagues and players have shared memories of Joe’s approachable personality, basketball knowledge, and how he made a positive impact on and off the court. His coaching career, particularly with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, left a lasting influence on many young players. “Joe was a true basketball mind,” a former colleague said. Reflecting on the depth of his knowledge and his unique ability to mentor young talent.
A Legacy Carried by the Bryant Name
Joe Bryant’s death marks another chapter in the complex yet significant legacy of Kobe Bryant’s Family. From the streets of Philadelphia to the courts of the NBA and beyond, Joe’s life had a profound impact on those who knew him.
His influence, both in Kobe’s career and in his own right as a player and coach, will be remembered by many in the basketball world. His passing is a reminder of the personal and professional sacrifices made by those who dedicate their lives to the game.
Final Farewell
As the basketball world mourns the loss of Joe Bryant, his memory will continue to inspire the next generation of players.
Both for his contributions on the court and his role in shaping Kobe Bryant into the icon he became. The Bryant family’s strength and resilience in the face of repeated tragedies is a testament to their enduring legacy in the sport and beyond.
Sources
“Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant, dies at age 69” ESPN. July 16, 2024.
“Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant, dies at age 69” ABC News. July 16, 2024.
“Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s father, dies at 69” USA Today. Scooby Axson. July 16, 2024.
“Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, dies at 69” LA Times. Steve Henson. July 16, 2024.
People Criticize Rihanna for Exposing Her Baby Bump Too Often and Tell Her to “Cover Up”
Rihanna refuses to wear special maternity clothes because dressing up is “too much fun”. The star rocks stylish cropped tops and bras and confidently shows off her baby bump. Most fans love her maternity style, however, some disapprove of her outfit choices, calling them too “revealing” and “inappropriate”.
Rihanna is pregnant with her second child.
The star welcomed her first child with A$AP Rocky in May 2022. Later Rihanna announced her second pregnancy during her 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show. So far, the due date has been kept in secret. However, it’s rumored that the baby will be born in 2023.
She often shows off her bold maternity looks.
Before the announcement, the singer used to wear thick coats and hide her pregnancy with distracting colors. Now the star embraces her baby bump and exposes it whenever possible. Comfy sports bras, cropped tops, and even unbuttoned jeans — Rihanna has her own cool maternity style.
The singer was criticized for her style.
In January, the couple did a pregnancy photoshoot where Rihanna bared her stomach. Someone wrote, “I’m getting old because I saw those Rihanna pics and was thinking: It’s too cold for her to be bearing that bump like that, baby’s probably freezing.” “Congrats to Rihanna and Rocky, but please cover up, it’s cold.” Some people also believe Rihanna’s style is too revealing and inappropriate.
Rihanna responded to the criticism.
The celebrity mom is aware of the criticism regarding her style. She explains her outfit choices, “When I found out I was pregnant, I thought to myself, there’s no way I’m going to go shopping in a maternity aisle.”
She adds, “My body’s doing incredible things right now, and I’m not going to be ashamed of that. Why should you be hiding your pregnancy?” She finished off with a bold statement, “I’m sorry, it’s too much fun to get dressed up, and I’m not going to let that part disappear because my body is changing.”
It’s not the first time Rihanna has been criticized by her fans. Once she was frowned upon for calling her son “fine”. The star responded like the queen she is.
Preview photo credit The Hollywood Fix / YouTube
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