Like Mother, Like Son

"Up 3 nothing, in Salt Lake City..."

Ghostface Killah - Stroke of Death

The LA/Utah series had a change of venue, as the Energy Solutions Arena played host to the Lake Show last night...in a game to remember.

Strictly Business

With 35-points and a calm under pressure cool...Kobe Bryant gave the Jazz, the blues. The best part about it...the Lakers did it as a team with double digit scoring from Fisher, Artest, and Pau Gasol.

Yes it was a close game, and yes the Lake Show were a few nano seconds from losing on two missed Jazz attempts before the buzzer, however the better team won. Now that LA holds a commanding 3-0 lead, everything else about this matchup is irrelevant because the end is near for the Utah Jazz.

The best part of the game for me wasn't the late game heroics and drama, it was the sight of Kobe's parents cheering and supporting their son. It brings back memories of them at his games in high school, or their daughter's matches in college.

The Bryant family is a tight knit clan...much like the Cosby Show, or Run's House, and while Kobe gets his name Bean and basketball acumen from his father, it's his mother...Ms. Pam that encouraged his will power, and tenacity. In life there is always going to be someone better, more attractive, smarter, taller, bigger, etc...however what can separate or level the playing field is the hard work, or determination that you give or have.

In the curious case of Kobe Bryant, not only is he one of the best players in the sport, he just so happens to be mentally stronger, and tougher than everyone as well...so in honor of this Mother's Day, I'd like to note that he is living his dream of becoming a professional athlete, and it was his mom's example, and teaching that has made the NBA champion that you see today.

Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

Family Business

"Here comes the black star, rock star, super star..."

Black Thought - Rock Star (Intro)

The Lakers are currently matched up with the Jazz...and while that may invoke a familiar playoff tune...it's the presence of Joe and Pam Bryant that make me think back to when I first met them at their daughter's volleyball game.

Circle of Trust

One of the strongest bonds on the planet is that of a family...be it humankind or otherwise, the family structure is very important to who we become later in life. Its not unusual to see an athlete's mother, or father in an arena, however when I saw Kobe's parents at the recent games in LA...it made me think of the days that are now so far gone. I met Kobe when we were teens, growing up in this crazy city, however what I admired most about the kid with the ubiquitous basketball was his close knit family. His mother and father's attendance isn't a Hollywood publicity stunt, as they have been traveling to their children's games since way before I can remember.

I don't have much to say about the series, because it has yet to become newsworthy...as the Lake Show have capitalized on the smaller, short handed Jazz. Playing in Utah is difficult, nevertheless, I expect more of the same, as the Lakers front court is beaming with height, and versatility...spelling disaster for the Western Conference.

Stay tuned!

Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

The Dark Knight

All Star Saturday Night 1997

"Show me a hero, and I will write you a tragedy." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Kobe Bean Bryant is the story of how a child from West Philadelphia, grew into a man of worldwide acclaim. It has been 12 years since the fabled NBA Draft of 1996. Within that class are the likes of Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, and Jermaine O'Neal, however none of them are as intriguing as the enigma that is Bryant.

Over the years, the experts spewed venom saying that he was everything from an elitist without street creditably to a bad teammate. The only thing he ever was as a 17-year old high school student, straight to the professional ranks of the NBA, is misunderstood. In his naivete he didn't even read all of the crazy things the Los Angeles and national media wrote about him. His main focus was making the transition from competing against boys, to men.


Basketball is, was, and always will be something that drives him.


The goal is just as it was during his youth in Italy to become the BEST basketball player he could be. If it were not for the guidance and support of his family, this story had the potential to go awry way before 2003.


We all make mistakes, especially as a teen or young adult, however not many of us, have had to grow up and make choices in a fish bowl for all the world to see.


I write this as a friend of the Bryant and Cox families, so my words are tainted with loyalty. Nevertheless, if you had a sneaker contract worth six-figures when you were 17, or if you wanted to make a decision that went against what your parents wanted, just remember that you didn't have to do it with complete strangers and the media looming. For some reason or another Kobe has been painted as everything that is wrong with professional sports.


Allow me if you will to venture back to the early 1980's. Joe "Jellybean" Bryant was playing for the San Diego Clippers, and made his native Philadelphia the off-season home. The family lived in the Overbrook section, directly around the corner from the legendary Wilt Chamberlain. By this time Kobe had started to emulate his father, playing basketball in the living room while watching Jellybean on TV.


These were the building blocks of the MVP you see today.

They who endure, conquer.