LAKER REPORT
Kobe's Wife Gives Birth to Daughter
By Tim Brown and Mike Terry
Times Staff Writers
January 20 2003
Kobe Bryant missed the Lakers' practice Sunday, but he had a good reason — to attend the birth of his daughter, Natalia, born midafternoon, the first child for Bryant, 24, and his wife, Vanessa.
Trainer Gary Vitti said Bryant first called him between 7 and 8 a.m. to advise him that his wife had gone into labor.
Bryant is expected to play tonight at Staples Center against the Clippers. He is also expected to play, if selected, in the Feb. 9 All-Star game in Atlanta.
Bryant had said that he would not go to the game if it was too close to the birth.
Teammate Shaquille O'Neal, already a father with another child on the way, had some advice for Bryant.
"With kids you've got to hold them, rub their heads, stand there through all their pain," O'Neal said. "But Kobe's a tough guy, he'll be fine."
O'Neal was asked to recall the birth of his first child.
"It was during the [1996] Olympics when I announced I was coming to L.A.," O'Neal said. "I had to drive back from Atlanta for the birth, spend a couple of hours with him (umm, don't you mean, HER, Daddy?
) , then drive to the opening ceremonies. But it was fun."
UPDATE: Baby Natalia's middle name is "Diamante."
I thought Kobe and wifey knew better.