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via Getty

via Getty

Kobe Bryant’s teammate Pau Gasol had to go through a long road to retirement. Bryant’s sudden death two years back saddened the Spaniard greatly. Gasol was very close to the “Black Mamba” and his family. Gasol recently celebrated his birthday and got wishes from everyone including Kobe’s elder daughter, Natalia. He visited their house recently and got ballet lessons from Kobe’s daughter Bianka Bryant.

The Spanish star tried to replicate Bianka’s moves but was no match for the 5-year-old. He may be a two-time NBA Champion but he is no ballet dancer compared to the little one. Gasol might need a few more lessons from his young mentor. Specifically, the twirls and the pointing of the toes need to be perfected.

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Bianka Bella Bryant, 5, and Capri Kobe Bryant, 2, were playing with Pau’s 1-year-old daughter Elisabet Gianna Gasol. The middle name was a tribute to Kobe’s deceased daughter. Vanessa Bryant is also her godmother. Therefore, it was heartwarming to see them playing and laughing with “Uncle” Pau.

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It has shown us that, despite everything that has happened, the Bryants have not broken down. Instead, they have charted their paths while paying tributes to Gianna and Kobe Bryant. Vanessa has done this by setting up a foundation in their name.

Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant’s team won two NBA titles together

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Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant were part of a great Los Angeles Lakers team that won two successive titles and were runners-up once. Bryant had some of his best seasons from 2007-10. He was arguably at his peak at this time and yet was mature enough to understand that without a team, he wasn’t going to win a chip.

Pau Gasol was picked up by the Lakers from the Memphis Grizzlies in February of 2008. He clicked with the team from the start and helped the team achieve first seed in the Western Conference. They had a 22-5 record with him in 2008. He averaged almost 19 points per game in those three seasons. Gasol became the second scoring option for the team. And Kobe Bryant’s scoring accentuated his game.

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Watch this Story: Kobe Bryant, Dennis Rodman, Chris Paul, and Other NBA Stars Who Inspired Children By Writing Books For Them

He came up clutch against the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals as he scored 19 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 assists. Lakers fans will always have good memories of him winning two trophies back to back. He was a legend, with all certainty.