Kobe Bryant is retired, but his competitive spirit didn’t go anywhere.
On Wednesday, the former LA Laker posted a picture of the girls’ basketball team he coaches and appeared to poke fun at the girls for coming in fourth place, according to Yahoo Sports. He also called out a girl who skipped the game for a dance recital. The team, which includes his daughter, was frowning in the picture.
yeah kobe a maniac lmfao pic.twitter.com/wzR9v1T3Ck
— the boy who lived. (@kharigold) September 11, 2019
“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,” Bryant wrote. “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.”
Twitter had jokes and critiques, as usual.
Kobe when them lil kids didn't wanna play anymore pic.twitter.com/w9Ancsgfzz
— quing E (@minichipotle) September 12, 2019
“Coach Kobe my grandpa died I don’t feel like practicing today….”
“See now if it were me, I’d drop 200 in practice. Do you think not practicing gonna bring his old ass back?” pic.twitter.com/b6u32SZc6i
— Papí (@papimagnifico) September 12, 2019
“Sorry coach Kobe, I need to skip the game because a dance recital…” pic.twitter.com/A1hOB8ykAK
— Manu (@blondbyfrankie) September 12, 2019
did he really just…..criticize a seventh grader……for wanting…….to perform……………..in a dance recital? https://t.co/8Trkah1ZJt
— Megan Schuster (@megschuster) September 11, 2019
Kobe is dragging a SEVENTH GRADER. https://t.co/eSp2SX8DwE
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) September 11, 2019
Those Kids: “WE CAME IN FOURTH PLACE!”
The Parents: “We’re so proud of you!”
The Principal: “Good sportsmanship is all that matters.”
Kobe: pic.twitter.com/7hJBzIYsE9
— X (@XLNB) September 11, 2019
5th grader's Dad: Hey Kobe, my daughter probably won't come in for practice today cuz she got dance recitals.
Kobe: pic.twitter.com/lP3XFNXADN
— Ahmed/Tinashe plz notice me/Saint Jhn Fan (@big_business_) September 11, 2019
He eventually edited the caption, according to Bleacher Report.
“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,” Bryant added. “Now? She eats sleeps and breathes the game.”
The father of three also clarified his position on Twitter. The pouting was the kids’ idea.
sorry if it came across as a slight, trust me it wasn’t. I was just giving the reason for her not being in the pic. They chose not to smile for the pic I actually followed their lead. Our team has become family and this includes the 7th player
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) September 11, 2019
“Sorry if it came across as a slight, trust me it wasn’t,” he explained to a critic. “I was just giving the reason for her not being in the pic. They chose not to smile for the pic I actually followed their lead. Our team has become family and this includes the 7th player.”
Bryant assured his detractors he was not mad at the girl for skipping the game.
Doing a dance to miss the game isn’t a bad thing. That’s not what I was saying. I was just giving context as to why she wasn’t in the picture. All my girls play/played diff sports. It’s all good and For the record I followed their lead on not smiling. They HATED those trophies
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) September 11, 2019
“Doing a dance to miss the game isn’t a bad thing,” he said. “That’s not what I was saying. I was just giving context as to why she wasn’t in the picture. All my girls play/played diff sports. It’s all good and For the record I followed their lead on not smiling. They HATED those trophies.”
