The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled the long-awaited statue of the legendary Kobe Bryant, and it's beautiful. Fans have been waiting for this moment for a long time, and Bryant is now forever immortalized.
Only true legends receive a statue, and Bryant's legacy will forever live on. His impact on the game of basketball can't be measured, and he will never be forgotten.
One player who meant the world to Bryant was former Lakers center Pau Gasol. The two men won two NBA titles together while playing for the Lakers, and they were as close as brothers.
The six-time All-Star took to The Player’s Tribune to unpack his feelings:
Gasol and Bryant helped the Lakers win the 2009 and 2010 NBA Finals, which were the final two titles of Bryant's career. After being acquired by the Lakers, the seven-footer instantly clicked with Bryant to form the dynamic duo.
The two players helped the Lakers reach three straight NBA Finals, and they were one of the more fun teams in the league. They dominated the league together and brought good times back to Los Angeles.
Gasol is still very close with the Bryant family and is even the godfather of Bryant's daughter, Natalia. The two were best friends through and through, and seeing the statue of Bryant brought up all sorts of emotions for the big man.
More must-reads: