Pau Gasol Hit Harder by Kobe Bryant’s Death Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic

The current NBA shutdown has former Los Angeles Lakers big man Pau Gasol reflecting on how he misses the wisdom offered by his friend and former teammate Kobe Bryant.

Gasol wrote an inspiring article for The Players’ Tribune in which he urged people across the world to work together to get through the deadly coronavirus pandemic. He also offered insight into how Bryant worked to use such moments as a learning opportunity.

“It (the pandemic) makes me think about something I learned from a former teammate,” Gasol said. “The way he responded to setbacks was one of the most remarkable things I’ve seen in my life. He viewed adversity as a great teacher and an opportunity to grow.

“That teammate was Kobe Bryant. I’m really missing Kobe these days, and the things he taught me are louder than ever in my mind, and in my heart.”

Bryant’s shocking death on Jan. 26 resonated across the globe, but it hit his former Lakers teammates like Gasol even more painfully.

Gasol was traded to the Lakers in February 2008 and would remain with the team through the 2013-14 season.

Along the way, he and Bryant were able to be key parts of the last two titles won by the franchise in both 2009 and 2010.