Kobe Bryant: Pau Gasol will be a Laker as long as I am
Things in Lakerland appear to be brightening up. Keystone Light connoisseur Steve Nash is now handling the point. It’s apparently still not out of the question for Dwight Howard to join the team. And now Kobe Bryant is lending his support behind the beleaguered Pau Gasol.
After a markedly disappointing regular season and playoffs, Gasol became the scapegoat by many for the Lakers’ struggles. And it was Kobe who targeted Gasol with criticism more than once in the postseason. And with trade chatter continuing to surround the Spaniard, the belief was that Kobe was playing at least some part in its existence.
But, speaking to reporters in Spain on Team USA’s pre-Olympic exhibition tour, Kobe tried to put to rest the rumors that he and Gasol have some sort of rocky relationship:
Kobe, answering a question from a Spanish reporter about Pau’s status with the Lakers: “As long as I’m there, he’s going to be there.”
— Brian Mahoney (@briancmahoney) July 21, 2012
A perhaps-relieved Gasol tweeted his thanks to Kobe in return:
Thanks Kobe! It’s a pleasure to play with you game after game. Go Lakers!! #Team bit.ly/Pthlcv
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) July 21, 2012
Why do I get the feeling Gasol isn’t thanking Kobe for the kind words but rather because Kobe is letting him stay on the Lakers?
