2001 was the year that Jeremy Treatman’s relationship with Kobe Bryant changed, because Kobe’s relationship with his family changed. 2001 was the year that Kobe married his wife, Vanessa, which led to a falling out between him and his parents, Joe and Pam. There’s been a lot of speculation about why the Bryant family fractured as it did. From what I gathered in talking to people who knew Kobe well back then, the problem came down to this: Kobe felt like he was ready to move fully into adulthood, to get married, and his parents thought he was too young.
Jeremy’s relationship with Kobe evolved in the same way. He hadn’t been close just to Kobe. He had been tight with the entire Bryant clan. If there wasn’t a clean break between him and Kobe as Kobe moved on from Lower Merion and progressed in his pro career, there was certainly more distance between them.
It had been nearly 30 years since Jeremy met Kobe. It had been 25 years since he was there on the Lower Merion Aces’ sideline, celebrating a state championship with Kobe. But that special period of time was fresh in his memory. Kobe had been dead for a year-and-a-half, but he was alive in Jeremy’s mind and heart.
Pre-order Mike Sielski's related book: “The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality" (1/11/22): TheRiseOfKobeBook.com
Join the conversation about “I Am Kobe” on social media: on Twitter and Instagram: @diversionpods
Our theme music is “Create Yourself” by Grover Braam feat. Justin Starling: Listen to Create Yourself on Spotify
Cover photo © Eileen Blass – USA TODAY NETWORK
“I Am Kobe” is a production of Diversion Podcasts in association with iHeartRadio. This season is written and hosted by Mike Sielski. Produced by Jacob Bronstein and directed by Mark Francis. Story editing by Jacob Bronstein with editorial direction from Scott Waxman. Editing, mixing, and sound design by Mark Francis. Production Assistant: Stephen Tompkins. Music Supervisor: Scott Velasquez for Frisson Sync. Executive Producers: Mark Francis and Scott Waxman.
Thanks to Oren Rosenbaum, Susan Canavan, and Jeremy Treatman.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S1E12: Legacy
S1E11: Tricks of the Basketball Trade
S1E10: Remembering Greatness
S1E8: The Taste Of Fame
S1E7: The Mind of a Champion
S1E6: The Summer of '95
S1E5: We Need A Hero
S1E4: Phenom of Philly
S1E3: A Young Man in Lower Merion
S1E2: The Bryant Family Legacy
S1E1: The Tapes
S1Official Trailer: I Am Kobe
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Coach Carvalho Podcast
BasketNews.lt podkastas
Club Shay Shay
Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick
The Big Podcast with Shaq