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Kobe Bryant had two sisters for his whole life, but when the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol back in 2008, he acquired a brother as well.
Bryant described Gasol simply as “mi hermano” in a 2016 interview, Spanish for “my brother,” and the two formed a special bond during their tenure with the Lakers. Like all siblings, their relationship had its ups and downs, but Gasol ultimately gave Bryant a perfect, symbiotic partner in the NBA, the most seamless pairing of either man’s legendary career. They won two rings together, and clearly the court wasn’t the only place where they formed a deep, familial connection.
From calling Gasol his brother later on, to meeting him at 2 a.m. on the first night he joined the Lakers to welcome him, and even the way Bryant would speak Spanish to him on the court, it was clear Gasol had a special place in Bryant’s heart. And Gasol is continuing their brotherhood, even after Bryant’s tragic passing alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter accident in January.
To most of us, Gasol is one of the greatest and most cherished Lakers ever. To Bryant’s daughters — Natalia, Bianka and Capri — he’s simply “Uncle Pau.”
My wife, my future baby, my sister and my nieces. So much beauty in one picture #Family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/igQVqNfHVN
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 21, 2020
Pau Gasol’s love and commitment to Vanessa Bryant and her daughters warms my heart ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7eVx3JXr1s
— Bri Lewerke (@brilewerke) August 20, 2020
Not that anyone needed a reminder of this, but Pau is just simply one of the best and nicest humans to ever walk the planet, much less wear a Lakers uniform. As horrible as 2020 has been, stuff like this just reminds you that there are still good people in the world.
We should all be so lucky as to have a Pau in our lives. Thank all that is good that the Bryants do.
For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow Harrison on Twitter at @hmfaigen.