Kobe Bryant was an athlete to inspire a whole generation of players. Known for his unparalleled skill on the paint and his relentless drive, the Mamba’s mentality became legendary. Behind this ferocious determination was a childhood that was shaped by intense family competition under the influence of his father, Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant. Unfortunately, Joe passed away following a stroke on the 16th of July. He was 69 years old. As a child, young Bryant had to prove his worth to his father by subjecting himself to continuous household competition.

Growing up in the Bryant household was far from ordinary. The Los Angeles Lakers legend could be seen describing his household as a place where you had to “really, really work to just survive.” His father, a former NBA player himself, along with his family, created an environment where excellence was the minimum requirement.

“We were very competitive, and you had to really, really work to just survive. That’s with swimming, playing basketball, playing video games, and whatever. It was a sh**-talking family, and when you lose, you not only lose, but you get embarrassed while you lose, you know what I mean?” said Bryant in an interview that resurfaced on social media.

The competitive atmosphere in the Bryant household extended beyond basketball. It extended to every aspect of life, teaching Kobe the value of hard work and the mental toughness required to excel. “So I grew up in that kind of environment, and you had to work hard just to keep your head above water,” Kobe Bryant explained. This journey of pursuits of excellence, however, wasn’t driven by the environment alone but some truth too.

The Bryants tread harsh paths

Joe Bryant played a huge role in the Lakers legend’s life from an early age. And it was not just the strive for excellence aforementioned. As a kid, Kobe followed his father everywhere. ESPN reports he even slept with his basketball clothes to never give his father an opportunity to say no to practice with him. It was only later that Kobe would learn of his father’s career disappointments where his father was cast in defense when he had the skills of a guard. Joe fell short of having a starry career thereon – an upset for Kobe naturally, but it came to act as a drive for him to not let fate stir his path.

Supported by the strong principles, we know how Kobe turned out. But while he had his family to thank for, for the his relentless drive and possibly the influence it lent on his popular “Mamba Mentality,” things weren’t all rainbows among them. The parents-son relationship underwent a few complications amid Joe’s acts unacceptable to Kobe – auctioning off his memorabilia.

It did leave a rift among the Bryants for a long period but via PEOPLE, they seemed to have reconciled around 2016, when Joe and Kobe were seen hugging each other. “You know how they loved each other from how they looked at each other, how they smiled,” family friend Wayne Slappy noted.

At the end of the day, ‘a close-knit family’ is what the Bryants are described as. Kobe roots his inspiration there. This fierce mentality, shaped in a “sh**-talking” household, guided Kobe throughout his career and life beyond basketball.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.