The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies midway through the 2007-08 season and the big man went on to play the next seven seasons in LA.
On Thursday night, the San Antonio Spurs will visit the Lakers and it will be Gasol’s first time back at the Staples Center since the organization retired both of Kobe Bryant’s numbers. Ahead of the game, the six-time NBA All-Star shared his feelings about returning to the place he called home for seven years and gave a nice shout-out to his former teammate.
Gasol ended up building a tight relationship with Kobe Bryant during his time with the Lakers as the two won two NBA championships and played in three NBA All-Star Games together during his stint in California.
The 37-year-old big man is currently in the middle of his second season with the San Antonio Spurs and is averaging 10.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1 block per game in 40 starts this year.
(H/T Twitter/paugasol)
