Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant were one of the very few duos who shared a brother-like relationship. Pau joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008 from the Memphis Grizzlies. The NBA world was not aware of how special of a relationship Kobe and Pau were going to share. Right after the Spaniard arrived, he sent a text message to Kobe and dropped in a “Hey.” The Black Mamba was quick to make his ultimate goal known to Pau.
As Gasol mentions on JJ Reddick’s Old Man And The Three podcast, “He came up and from the very beginning he was like, ‘I’m very happy that you’re here. Let’s acknowledge that, I’m very happy, very excited that you’re here. But now let’s go f***ing win a title.” That’s what the duo did, they won two consecutive titles in 2009 and 2010.
Kobe and Pau shared a wholesome relationship even after retiring from the NBA. They often spent time with each other’s families and made sure to look out for one another. However, all came crashing down when Kobe passed away in a horrifying helicopter crash, along with his daughter Gianna. Even after his best friend’s death, Pau continues to spend time with Bryant’s family, including their young daughters.
Fans react to Pau Gasol’s All-Star weekend appearance with Kobe Bryant’s daughters
Pau has been seen playing golf with Kobe’s oldest daughter, Natalia. He has even wished the young lady for her birthday recently. It would be safe for us to assume that Pau plays the role of a brother in Kobe’s family, even though they are not related by blood. This is certainly what the fans believe after witnessing the 2x NBA champ with Kobe’s daughters; Bianka and Capri.
Uncle Pau last night 🥲💜
(Via Vanessa Bryant) pic.twitter.com/OLqsRc02jQ
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 18, 2023
Pau was present at the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend. He was one of the coaches and led the team that included the likes of Paolo Banchero, Keegan Murray, and Scottie Barnes. His team won the Jordan Rising Stars game but that was not all that caught the attention of NBA fans. Many took to Twitter to express their feelings after seeing Pau hold Kobe’s daughters. A fan even wrote, “Definition of a brother for life,” while another mentioned that Pau was a definition of a “Brother from another mother.”
Definition of a brother for life
— 😵💫 (@Jaylnc1) February 18, 2023
This man is such a good dude.
— Bell Tolls Inc. (@BellTollsIncJDB) February 18, 2023
Definition of brother from another mother
— Unbothred warriors fan (@Goldenstatefan_) February 18, 2023
Pau is a real one 🫡
— Bmac (@Bmac_______) February 18, 2023
It is wholesome for us to see that Gasol remains close with Kobe’s family and he will be for times to come. The two families appear closer than ever after Bryant’s death and it certainly helps to have a pillar like Pau and his wife by their side.
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