Why Kobe Was Sad After Winning The NBA Finals

Kobe changed forever after this one moment in #nba history.
It’s Game 5 of the 2001 NBA Finals. The Lakers win it all. Kobe goes back to the locker room and we see this.
But why is Kobe so…sad.
This is one of the most iconic pictures in NBA history, but one of the most extreme dichotomies, a picture of Kobe Bryant, a now back to back champion, reaching the pinnacle, looking like his heart got ripped out. *But it was necessary.* This moment would change Kobe forever and become part of why he would eventually became the Black Mamba.
And that’s Piece #1, before this incident, Kobe was emotional.
Before Kobe was the killer that nothing could faze, he was just a crazy wide eyed teenager coming up through the ranks, growing up in Europe following his dad Joe Bryant, a former NBA, everywhere he went, going to all the games, just wanting to be around basketball. Dropping 60 points when he was 5, he was wired different. They moved back to Philadephia and Kobe got drafted out of high school as one of the most exciting NBA prospects. But for his first year, Kobe only averaged 15.5 minutes a game.
This was a time period where we saw the ups and downs affect Kobe visibly**, where he cared about factors besides basketball. Like in 2002, Kobe gets booed by his hometown Philly fans at the All-Star game.
You see, the 2001 NBA Finals was LA vs Philadelphia and with the format at the time, the Lakers got 2 home games, then Philly got 3 in a row. Being from Philly, this might have been a bit of a hometown advantage, all his friends and family----, wait where are they?
*Kobe’s parents and sisters never showed up because they were upset with Kobe, but why?*
That’s Piece #2, personal problems, a whole lot of em.
2 months before the finals in April 2001, the 22 year old Kobe married an 18 year old Vanessa Laine, a relationship the parents didn’t approve of because Vanessa was of hispanic heritage and not African American. That’s wild…
So going into the playoffs, Kobe was already going through it, but the finisher was them not supporting his individual achievements,
He heard it from the fans, the media, everyone in the world. Meanwhile, him and his wife were on the brink of ending their relationship. *He had lost trust in his parents, there was no one to turn to and yet he still had to perform on the court.* It was only in September in 2004 that he was innocent.
But that leads to Piece #3, Kobe changing his approach to the game.
**But in the locker room at half**, Kobe made a choice.
and I’ll let him explain.
His parents did show up for Game 7 of the 2010 finals though, but not because of Kobe, but because some wealthy Lakers fan had invited them. What
And yet Kobe continued to plow through, unfazed by who was in the arena and for what reasons. Kobe would become a back to back champion in front of his parents this time, but not celebrate with them. And this time, there wasn’t the sad picture from 2001. It was just achievement.
But the philosophy that Kobe had to keep his sanctuary safe, to compartmentalize despite his flaws in the fashion he did is inspiring, to make the saddest picture in NBA history now one of triumph.

[@1Joseph25]

I ain’t even realize how innocent a young Kobe was but it really was a pleasure to watch his career live just a special player but also an even better person

[@zacharyrosen6014]

Kobe is the only person I could possibly believe to drop 60 points at 5 years old 😂

[@nomercyinc6783]

he wasnt born good at the game or naturally athletic like jordan. he worked harder than anyone in the history of sports to be the best of his craft at the time he was playing. he was the best in the game when he was at his peak.

[@TheCyledacosta]

He such a hard working legend and is prove hard work beats out talent

[@Al-ew8kz]

That’s crazy, never knew that! Thanks for explaining

[@ayrtoncurrie]

This makes me respect him so much more now, I had followed Kobe’s entire career and did not know the situation between him and his parents was that bad. Rest in Peace legend 🙏🏼

[@slylancey]

And these were the main reasons why Vanessa was so cold towards Kobe's family after Kobe died.

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

WOW.I never knew this,$ 250.000 for a-FREE-house-from your son is a-GREAT-gift. But,why ask for another home if you already have a house ??? Don't be a-BEGGAR-leach,etc,etc,.. go get a job you-bum-&&& parents. LOL. Much respect to Kobe,I've never been a Kobe fan,at all.But,this latest news makes me-RESPECT-Kobe the man and the player.

[@egglordsasuke8532]

Wtf? Kobeand Tatum had completely different poses. Stop reaching.

[@TGODSpeaks]

People hating on Tatum for imitating his idol is so messed up, because any other Kobe fan would do the same, so just let him enjoy his moment

[@ultimateyagerman]

I dont even see it as an imitation. The dude was with the trophy and they recorded him. He's not pretending to be sad or sitting down, no jacket etc etc

[@craxyman9025]

And it wasn't even an immigration. He's just hugging the trophy.

[@redhead12555]

Tatum has more than three ideals with what he said😂

[@danielr7386]

@@redhead12555you type like someone who smokes crack

[@jxnny.8563]

Shii we clowned James Wiseman too 😭

[@Beeman2892]

💛💜😥Missin you Kobe.

[@chillalex7]

One of your best videos

[@viralfever4131]

I love your videos!! I really do. Been here since day one but damn fam, is there ever MORE THAN 3 pieces??!

[@IM-dg5wp]

What happen to that other Kobe video that was took down

[@curtiszyr]

0:08 how is that an identical pose ? Or are my eyes deceiving me 😂 I didn’t know people don’t rock with jay t

[@smoochumsmcgee]

“nearly identical” those poses could not be more different

[@TheAdidasKnifer]

God I miss Kobe so much 😔

[@JayzoTheNextKobeBryant]

Same Here Dawg

[@nomercyinc6783]

id trade ja morant and dillion brooks dumb asses lives for kobe to still be here. kobe made a positive difference in the sport and the world and people like ja morant and dillion brooks are morons

[@ianosaurus27]

We can say Kobe's parents are Racists, but marrying someone after meeting her in less than a year, for the parents that can be concerning

[@leilokema]

Kobe parents didn't want him to marry Vanessa before she was 21 and wanted him to get a prenup

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

@@leilokema Thanks for the explanation,but,at the end of the day these are Kobe's decisions ( He was a grown man ) and as parents you have to let your grown-up kids make their own decisions-good or bad. His entire family were mooching off of Kobe-BIG-time. And what makes it so bad is Kobe died before he could make-up with his parents,they thought they had time to mend their ways,but,they thought wrong.

[@twiss9341]

Very good video man great job

[@Thr0wb4cks]

Ayyyye thanx for the fun #KOBEFACT!

[@leilokema]

His parents wanted him to get a prenup and wait to Vanessa was 21 to get married. His dad was a WNBA coach at the time. Kobe facts

[@luisayala5919]

Kobe the first Mexican NBA star ..

[@ValtCOD]

RIP KOBE BRYANT

[@Veeskizo]

They’re not holding the trophy identical at all what are you talking about

[@pWoLiAn]

tatum is him. stop the hate and bring yo ass

[@ultimateyagerman]

Man yall casuals need to leave Tatum alone. The dude lost in 2022 and found redemption in 2024. Let the guy enjoy the championship season

[@dtown313]

No.

[@sirchopp7445]

how was kobe, and tatum, picture similar if the poses are nothing alike? ... one is standing and the other is sitting. different facial expressions and all... bro, you should of that through before posting that part

[@gutstheman65]

Yap yap yap

[@JTT1993]

That picture Tatum took is nowhere similar to that Kobe pic stop reaching y’all lmao

[@anthonysloan2620]

Facts. That narrative is getting old.

[@ultimateyagerman]

That's what Im saying, this is what you call being "a hater"

[@gungij2728]

Weeee ded eitttt

[@anthonysloan2620]

Omg lol. He took a picture with a trophy. Thats BARELY identical to Kobes. Stop this narrative. A couple years ago he hyped it up. Hasn't ever since. And now he won a ring. No one is comparing or even thinking about him and Kobe in the same sentence. Leave kid alone.

[@pauljansen1137]

All this personal mess just showes that the dude had true character!!!!

[@LeGooner]

RIP Black Mamba man

[@TGODSpeaks]

And don’t forget why this meant so much for Tatum and brown too, for the last 5 years they’ve been the most hated team in the league and most disrespected

[@astromigui]

They've been this year but hey're not the most hated of the last 5vyears that's a stretch

[@goatbrook9065]

That is a hard ass picture bro, kobe was that guy on and off the court he was a special person

[@wethillbilly]

love the content keep it up 🙏

[@danielr7386]

Early 00’s and before mixed racial couples were NOT highly looked upon. I would know first hand

[@samhitakrishnan5675]

1

[@differentsame9402]

Kobe's sad face in the lockerroom as he's holding the gold championship trophy after winning the 2002 NBA finals That's the face of a man who doesn't wanna sell his soul. He made that face cause he knew he had to make an important decision: offer a sacrifice to the higher up and elites, in order to continue this success. His rookie deal was finally up and it was time to get paid (that's right Kobe three-peated under a rookie contract) and I believe he was offered the opportunity to 4peat. Ultimately, he refused to sell his soul... which came with consequences such as: getting black-balled by the league, fake *ape allegations, Shaq's fraternity targeting him, and the media promoting a high-school player who can't even shoot the ball or dribble to save his life over him Kobe, which was disrespectful.

[@Thetopplug]

Bullshit

[@Thetopplug]

Lebron sacrificed and didn’t even three peat

[@differentsame9402]

@@Thetopplug cause LeBron is ass. You can give him all the help possible and he'll still find a way to lose.

[@baron17]

What are u talking about?

[@differentsame9402]

@@baron17 can't you read? Are you illiterate? How old are you?

[@JayzoTheNextKobeBryant]

Yo I Miss My Legendary Childhood GOAT R.I.P.Kobe Bryant Everyday

[@user-ms4cl1br6n]

Kobe was too old for her

[@enembiiRXN]

yo😊

[@jordancave3089]

How tf is that anywhere near identical to the pose of Kobe?😂😂 it’s literally nothing alike except that they’re both holding the trophy closely😂😂 yall really must be soooo sick. You knew the Celtics were far and away the best team in the league, yet your hate for him blinded you so bad that you gave them no chance to win…only for them to curbstomp everyone…WHILE NOT EVEN BEING HEALTHY THEMSELVES😂😂

[@gterth2660]

Tatum and Kobe was no where close to similar

[@juliocesargimenez-massini6417]

I simply dgaf kobe is the best basketball PLAYER of all time and its not even close

[@BentoJackson]

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[@StephenTommyCurry30]

Kobebryant first daughter was born the same year i was born

[@Bigguy5588]

My names Dre and im gonna play in the NBA one day mark my words

[@mrankles7465]

I’ll see you there Dre 😄😁😇😆

[@nathanmonka8561]

Fosho keep working

[@KygetaKushida]

I see dead people

[@XxkillerxX10]

Cringe.

[@nikkothegreat7839]

Good luck brother

[@omarthescriblomale8279]

Vanessa do be a gold digger. Can’t blame her but after her husband cheating on her she should have left. She obviously wouldn’t because he got the paper.

[@dickiesdocos]

She could've left and taken him to the cleaners but stuck it out. They had their problems, but she was far from being a gold digger.

[@leilokema]

Stop lying his parents wanted him to slow down because of her age and to get a prenup to protect himself. His dad was a coach stop slandering his parents for views

[@judibbb]

Well his parents did sell some of his memorabilia to pay for their house .And kobes dad don't like Mexicans he didn't want him to marry Vanessa .they wanted him to marry a black woman that's why Vanessa didn't let them speak at his memorial .

[@dickiesdocos]

So because he didn't get a prenup, they stopped talking to him? What's the point of that? It wasn't the smartest parenting move, in my opinion.

[@MrJohnnyAOA]

This is corny as hell

[@CherryRat1]

dang no views in 26 seconds.. bro fell off

[@badjohnnyisbad]

he was not “found innocent”

[@nomercyinc6783]

grown adults dont need their parents. kobe wasnt abandoned as a young teen at all. his parents didnt approve of vanessa and thats within their rights. parents dont owe their adult children a fuckin thing

[@astromigui]

You'll be a great dad for sure

[@ericd1084]

"Black Mamba" has to be the dumbest nickname in the history of sports.

[@arizonaFIREent]

Uma Thurman had it first

[@blue-phoenix115]

Why? It's one of the most venomous snakes in the world. It symbolizes danger and Kobe was always a threat on the court. Back up your claim. Otherwise, I think you're trolling.

[@DrTenaCulo]

Bro how? It’s not even the same pose? Lmao Haters will try to make anything a thing because they team didn’t win…..

[@sportslangtv2181]

cause he's a three time sidekick he's patethic