Kobe Bryant Retirement Tour: Bryant Hopes and Prays to Mend Relationship With His Parents

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies
Feb 24, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts to the crowd as he walks off the court after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.  Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with a number of pressing matters this NBA season. Amid the issues, which involve the development of young stars like D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle, the basketball team is most focused on one thing: the retirement tour of Kobe Bryant. With the impending departure of the Black Mamba, the games of the Los Angeles Lakers have often been seen as avenues for fans from both the public and NBA community to pay tribute to the basketball icon.

The farewell tour of Bryant has attracted NBA stars including the great Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. Despite the personalities who paid tribute to his legacy, the Black Mamba is still missing some people in the stands. Years following their dispute over his personal items, Bryant and his parents have yet to completely mend their relationship. Hence, the Los Angeles Lakers star admitted that his mom and dad will not be watching his final games in the NBA.

"The relationship with family is extremely important, but you also can't force things," Bryant said the Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, according to CBS Sports. "And so I hope and I pray that one day, things will be better between us. Unfortunately, today's not that day."

Bryant responded in the negative when asked if his parents will attend his final games in the Staples Center. He said, "I've thought about it. Uh, I'm not sure. Probably not."

The Black Mamba and his parents drifted following a lawsuit filed by the Los Angeles Lakers star against the elder Bryants and Goldin Auctions, according to ESPN. The issue, which started in 2013, saw the NBA icon take to court the auction company for planning to put his personal items up for sale. In their defense, Goldin Auctions pointed out that Pamela Bryant, the mother of the Black Mamba, owned the disputed items.

Moreover, the company already paid Pamela $450,000 in advance for the things which she reportedly used to purchase a new house for herself and Joe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers star's father. Before going to trial, both parties eventually came to a settlement. According to the company, almost 90 percent of the original merchandise were pulled out - with only six items left available for auction. However, Goldin Auctions remained optimistic then that the remaining things would still fetch at least $500,000. The company disclosed that the six items left were the most widely coveted Kobe Bryant memorabilia at the time.

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