Former Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol is still making waves in basketball. The current FC Barcelona Basquet player is currently with the Spanish national basketball team as they prepare to enter the Olympics. Despite being 41 years of age, Gasol continues to play professionally. And while he isn’t the same caliber of player that he was during his prime, he has shown that he can still be a key contributor on a solid professional team.
But against Team USA, Gasol channeled his form from his days as Los Angeles Lakers star. During one of the final exhibition games before the Olympics against Team USA, Gasol made a fantastic highlight play when he got the ball from his teammate in the post, and moved like a man half his age as used his frame to get the ball into the basket with relative ease. For Laker fans, this must have been great to see, given how important Gasol has been to the franchise’s success in the 21’st century.
Even at 41, @paugasol still has it 👏
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/MK3P2JEDdG
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 19, 2021
Gasol was the secondary star alongside Kobe Bryant during the Lakers’ dominant run between 2008 and 2010. Gasol joined the Lakers, and his relationship with Kobe Bryant immediately catapulted the Lakers to championship contention. During their best, Kobe and Gasol took the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Finals between 2008 to 2010. Gasol and Bryant were also instrumental in the Lakers winning the NBA title back-to-back in 2009 and 2010.
Last season, Gasol was trying to make a comeback to the NBA, more specifically with the Lakers. His history with the franchise was already there. But Gasol wanted to honor the memory of Kobe, and have the opportunity to play alongside his brother in the team that he found his greatest success with. While Gasol wasn’t able to get back to the NBA, Laker fans will be elated to see that Gasol has still got it at his age.
