When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Pau Gasol at the 2008 NBA trade deadline, he and Kobe Bryant led them to two championships in three Finals appearances.
As Gasol was the perfect sidekick for Bryant during their 6.5 seasons together in Los Angeles, they developed a lifelong bond that went beyond basketball.
Unfortunately, Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant, and seven other passengers tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash nearly fourth months ago.
As the loss of Bryant has not gotten any easier, Gasol detailed his close relationship with him as a teammate, according to Ryan Ward of ClutchPoints:
“First, as a teammate, he made me a better player,” Gasol said of Bryant.