Kobe Bryant's Dad's 2000 Championship Ring Hits the Auction Block

19 March 2024

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The bling's the thing, hoop fans. Kobe Bryant's gleaming tribute to his first NBA championship win—a staggering piece of hardware originally destined for Joe "Jellybean" Bryant's hand—is now on the ultra-luxe list at Goldin Auctions. Mind you, we're not talking about the executive rings that champs pocket. Nope. We're talking about a carbon copy of the masterpiece Kobe himself rocked.

A Token of Triumph

After the Los Angeles Lakers stormed the courts for their 2000 victory lap, Kobe had a notion—why not share the glory? He had an additional ring forged to honor his pop, a man who knew the parquet battles firsthand as a former NBA combatant. Time has rolled on and now, this symbol of familial and sports triumph dances in the auction spotlight.

It's not Kobe memorabilia's first rodeo at the auction house. Back in 2013, a legal tango with Goldin had Kobe grappling over his parents' wish to sell some keepsakes. But let's press on—that’s ancient hoops history. This sparkling tribute is the sole gift of its kind from Kobe to his father, and it comes complete with a seal of authenticity from his mother, Pamela Bryant.

Yeah, the Bryants have had their stormy weathers. Kobe's portrait of the relationship in 2016 was less than rosy, with past auctions painting part of that complex tapestry. And in 2020, Joe and Pamela, showing a united front, laid their son to rest—underscoring the unspoken bonds in this family saga.

More Than Just Bling

Across this ring's face, 14 karat gold clings to 40 diamonds. Kobe's surname, along with the Lakers' stellar regular season (67-15) and playoff brawl (15-8), is etched with care. The flip side? "Bling bling 2000," a phrase that echoes an era.

The gavel is set to rap on March 31, and $94,000 is the heap of moolah flexing as the lead bid. Remember, hoop junkies, to aim your sights on the prize—we could be witnessing auction alchemy where the lore of the Lakers and the wist of a father's legacy converge into a dazzling piece of history up for grabs.

Kobe Bryant's Father's Championship Ring Hits Auction

Kobe Bryant's 2000 Lakers championship ring, specially made for his father Joe Bryant, is now on the block at Goldin Auctions. Unlike player-issued rings, this one parallels the design presented to the Lakers. A symbol of the NBA star's affection, the ring's previous auction attempts led to a family legal tussle. Accompanied by a guarantee from Kobe's mother, Pamela, the ring holds sentimental value tracing back to a once-strained father-son relationship. Adorned with 14 karat gold and 40 sparklers, it displays the Lakers' triumphs on either side, matched by Kobe's name and the season's tallies. A term-coined 'bling bling' engraving celebrates the era. As it awaits a new owner, bids have already soared to $94,000, with the curtain falling on March 31.

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Source: CBSSports