PHOTOSKobe Bryant Apologizes For Slamming His 12-Year-Old Daughter's Basketball Team After Their Loss
Jan. 26 2020, Updated 10:45 p.m. ET
Kobe Bryant did not choose his words wisely. In a recent Instagram post, Kobe, 41, shamed his 12-year-older daughter’s basketball after a devastating loss two years ago that pushed the team to fourth place. He called out one girl in particular for attending a dance recital instead of competing with the team. The former Los Angeles Laker star then edited the caption after receiving backlash.
Kobe shared a picture on September 11 of the Mambas and their coaches looking sad as they held their trophies after a game. The original Instagram caption read, "Here’s our fourth place ‘winners’ picture lol six of the kids in the picture stayed with me and worked every single day to get better and continue to work to this day. The 7th player (not in pic) missed this game for a dance recital so that should tell you where her focus was at this time.”
Followers commented on Kobe’s post for his criticism of the dancer. “LMFAO Kobe has no filter,” one wrote. “Why Kobe gotta shade tf outta that little girl,” another said. “How you about to call out a seventh grader for not being committed to what YOU want. The other girls are committed, fine, but that recital could mean a lot to that girl. Can’t put her on blast on social media like that,” a disgruntled follower commented.
After getting slammed, the retired NBA star then edited it to read, “The 7th player (not in pic) missed this game for a dance recital so that should tell you where her focus was at this time, meaning she enjoyed dance more than ball which is fine. Now? She eats sleeps and breaths the game.”
He added, “So from this original group of 7 we have added a player TWO years YOUNGER (6th grade now), a player who’s team in our area folded and a player who’s family moved here from Tennessee. The beauty of coaching is growing the players from the ground up. That journey continues #mambas #twoyearsago”
One fan on Twitter called out the former NBA star and said that his post was overkill. Kobe responded, “Nah fam I was just explaining why she wasn’t in the pic. Most of my kids on the team played and still play other sports including my daughter so it’s all love. Don’t misunderstand the message.”
Kobe intended on showing the team’s development over the years, and it didn’t hit his followers the right way.
The retired Laker also shared a picture of his daughter’s team after a big win on September 9 that showcased their improvement.
What do you think of Kobe’s apology for shaming his daughter’s basketball team on social media? Sound off in the comments below!
