Media

Former Lakers Star Pau Gasol Honors Kobe Bryant and His Family in Epic Fashion

Published by
Robert Marvi

Former NBA big man Pau Gasol and his wife Catherine McDonnell welcomed their first daughter on Sunday, and they did so by paying tribute to an NBA legend.

Gasol named his little one Elisabet Gianna Gasol to honor the memory of late Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

The elder Bryant and younger Bryant were two of nine people who were killed in a tragic helicopter crash in late January.

The elder Gasol played with the elder Bryant for six-and-a-half seasons in L.A. The two went to the NBA Finals three straight years from 2008 to 2010, winning back-to-back championships in the process.

Along the way, the two became close. The connection between their families is still very much intact, as the Gasols and Bryants spent some quality time together just a few weeks ago.

After leaving the Lakers in free agency in 2014, the elder Gasol has played for three different NBA teams. Most recently, he spent the stretch run of the 2018-19 campaign with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Robert Marvi

Robert is a native of Santa Monica, Calif., and a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has been an avid NBA fan since he was a little kid in the mid '90s and fell in love with the Nick Van Exel-led Lakers teams. He truly cherishes the Kobe Bryant-era of Lakers basketball and the five world championships that came with it, and is looking forward to the team's next NBA title.

Published by
Robert Marvi

Recent Posts

Ex-teammate of Kobe and Shaq reacts to ‘BS’ narrative about Bryant being O’Neal’s sidekick

Gilbert Arenas is a self-described fan of Kobe Bryant, but he turned some heads when…

December 22, 2024

Jordan and Shaq’s ex-teammate discredits LeBron’s ‘bubble’ ring after he’s called Lakers legend

The Los Angeles Lakers have sky-high expectations compared to the lion's share of other NBA…

December 21, 2024

‘LeBron makes the trades’: Carmelo Anthony speaks out on chances of Lakers dealing LeBron James

Amid chatter about the future of 20-time All-Star LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers,…

December 20, 2024

DeMarcus Cousins says he and Anthony Davis would’ve helped Pelicans become contenders if not for ‘dumba-s’ Dell Demps

Former All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins called out former New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell…

December 19, 2024

Darvin Ham fires massive shot at Lakers: ‘Anywhere else I’m probably looking at an extension’

Darvin Ham has had more NBA Cup success than any coach in the league since…

December 18, 2024

Bobby Portis on the difference between the Bucks and the Lakers: ‘We’re not Hollywood’

The Milwaukee Bucks captured the 2024 NBA Cup title with a 97-81 victory over the…

December 18, 2024