Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol were more than teammates — they were friends and brothers. Between 2008 and 2014, Gasol and Bryant were co-stars on the Lakers, winning two Championships together in 2009 and 2010.
During their run together, they would develop a passionate relationship, to the point where Gasol became an “uncle” to Kobe’s kids.
When Bryant, and his daughter Gigi, passed away last year, Gasol was one of the first ones to share a deep and powerful message. And now, exactly one year after that tragic helicopter crash, Pau sent out another message, looking back on his friend and how much he misses him.
I miss you, hermano… not a day goes by that you are not present in what I do. Your spirit, your drive, your ambition, your love… continues to shine in my life and in many others. Photos, videos, very special moments keep being shared by countless people that have admired you and loved you in their own way, reminding me how incredibly lucky I have been to share some of those moments with you.
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I hope you and Gigi are smiling down seeing how strong, sweet and amazing your girls are… they are growing so fast brother.
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I wish you could’ve met our little Elisabet Gianna. We will make sure she knows where her middle name comes from… how extraordinary, loving and inspiring her cousin Gigi and her uncle Kobe were.
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Today, we honor and celebrate both of you, you have left us with so much…, but even if it isn’t how we would like things to be, you are, and always will be, in our hearts.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKhNGh9A8_T
It’s obviously a touching post from Pau, and it’s easy to see how much he’s hurting. The two had an amazing connection on the court and were often seen hanging out. Even after Kobe’s death, however, the Gasol family has maintained a close relationship with Vanessa and the rest of the Bryant family, only illustrating how close the two stars became.
With impeccable chemistry on the court and a relationship that transcends the basketball court, there is no doubt there was something special between them.
