One of the best parts of NBA locker rooms is the behind-the-scenes stories that reveal the character of players beyond the hardwood. Recently, Boston Celtics guard Derrick White shared such a story on his White Noise podcast about Pau Gasol, offering fans a glimpse into the Spaniard’s generosity and sense of responsibility as a veteran.
White recalled a team dinner from his San Antonio Spurs days, one that ended with a $30,000 bill. Bryn Forbes, then a second-year player with the Spurs, was jokingly set up to be the one to pay for the extravagant meal. According to White, it was actually Gregg Popovich who had arranged for the bill to be handled, but Forbes had his card down. That’s when Pau Gasol stepped in.
“Pau was awesome. Just seeing how Pau is, like, we had team dinner and, like, there was a joke where Bryn was gonna pay for it. And Pau was like, no, like, you would, like, cause Bryn was second year at the time.”
“He’s like, no, you would never pay for a dinner. Like, this is, like, this is my responsibility as, like, the vet. I was like, oh, that was cool. It was a joke because it was Pop actually paying for it, but Bryn had his card.”
“So we went to this steakhouse. It was, like, everybody’s there, but, like, Pop Pau heard about it and gave Bryn his card. So Bryn was, like, gonna pay for it. Pau was like, no, like, no way. Like, what? But it was actually Pop, which was pretty cool by Pop.”
Gasol’s reaction was classic Pau, thoughtful, selfless, and deeply rooted in the idea of mentorship. Even though Forbes wasn’t actually on the hook for the $30,000 tab, Pau refused to even entertain the idea. For him, it wasn’t about the money itself, but about protecting a younger teammate from a situation he felt was unfair.
As a two-time NBA champion, six-time All-Star, and one of the most respected international players to ever play in the league, Gasol understood the unspoken code of veteran responsibility.
The player in question, Bryn Forbes, spent the majority of his NBA career with the Spurs, playing for San Antonio from 2016 to 2020 and then returning for the 2021-22 season. Known as a sharpshooter, Forbes carved out a solid role in the league before eventually continuing his career overseas with Aris in Greece.
For a young player like him at the time, being supported by someone of Gasol’s stature would have meant everything.
Stories like these highlight why Pau Gasol remains beloved by teammates and fans alike. His Hall of Fame resume is undeniable, but it’s his humility, mentorship, and kindness that truly set him apart. The image of Gasol refusing to let a second-year player even pretend to pay for a $30,000 dinner perfectly encapsulates his approach to leadership: veterans take care of the young guys, period.
