Kobe very much wanted Vanessa to transfer to Portland, with all expenses paid by him. He was even willing to clear the debts for Vanessa's not-so-well-off family.
However, such actions undoubtedly went against Kobe's parents, especially his mother Pamela, who had a strong desire to control her son and opposed the relationship from the start.
Ironically, when Pamela fell in love with Joe Bryant, she faced the same opposition from her family. Pamela's father was shocked and vehemently opposed his daughter falling for a basketball player. He always hoped that his daughter, who received higher education, would marry a lawyer or a doctor, not mingle with a black professional player from southern Philadelphia. Back in those days, professional basketball players did not have a good reputation.
But Pamela, strong-willed and independent, disregarded her father's objections and stayed with Joe Bryant, eventually giving birth to Kobe.
